AdminThe Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF), Malaysia’s largest education-focused social enterprise, has launched an ambitious teacher professional development programme aimed at advancing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Malaysia.
The initiative was unveiled at the “ESD for 2030 Regional Meeting on Transforming the Futures of Education” held at Sunway University.
The programme, funded entirely by JCF, will support the development and delivery of capacity-building initiatives for teachers in both national and national-type schools across Malaysia.
This marks a significant step towards integrating sustainable education practices into the national curriculum.
The launch event was officiated by Fadzilah Fadzil, Undersecretary of Strategic Planning and International Relations and Secretary-General of the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (MNCU), who represented Fadhlina Sidek, the Minister of Education.
Fadzilah emphasized the alignment of the programme’s objectives with the Malaysia MADANI philosophy, which promotes ethical values, responsible mindsets, and community engagement among young people.
“Consistent with the concept of MADANI, Education for Sustainable Development emphasizes ethical values and mindsets, and a sense of responsibility, to guide young people to relate what they learn, and how they can make a difference in their communities, environments, and the world,” she stated.
Expanding Educational Horizons
In his opening remarks, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO, Co-Chair of Mission 4.7 and Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group, announced that JCF would be expanding the programme to an additional 30 schools, reaching more than 2,500 teachers nationwide.
“Many schools have already expressed their interest to be beneficiaries of the programme, and this highlights the keen interest among Malaysian teachers for professional development in Education for Sustainable Development,” Dr. Cheah shared.
The teacher professional development programme in ESD, supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Education through the Education Policy Planning and Research Division (EPRD), adapts and applies global ESD competencies and frameworks to local contexts.
The initiative aims to equip educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to foster sustainable development values among students.
Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN-SDSN and Sir Jeffrey Cheah Distinguished Professor at Sunway University, delivered a keynote address emphasising the critical role of education in achieving sustainable development.
“SDG 4: Quality Education is the centre to which all SDGs rely on. This gives great importance to the teacher professional development programme being done here by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation,” he noted.
Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals
The new programme aligns with Mission 4.7, a global initiative aimed at advancing transformative education to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It calls upon governments to ensure that learners acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and attributes necessary for sustainable development.
In addition to this programme, JCF has demonstrated its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by gifting US$20 million to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN).
This funding has facilitated the development of the Jeffrey Sachs Center for Sustainable Development at Sunway University and the establishment of the Asia Headquarters of the UN-SDSN in Malaysia.
The Asia headquarters plays a pivotal role in coordinating worldwide sustainability initiatives alongside the UN-SDSN offices in New York City and Paris.
The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation’s initiative marks a significant milestone in Malaysia’s educational landscape, promoting sustainable development and empowering teachers to foster a new generation of environmentally conscious and socially responsible citizens.
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