Recipients' perceptions of the Malaysian excellent teacher award scheme

This study explored the role of teachers' incentives in motivating teachers to change their attitudes, teaching practice and contribution to improve the quality in teaching and learning in Malaysian context. This research looked at the Guru Cemerlang Malaysia Award Scheme (GCM) or Excellent Teachers Policy as an incentive in monetary form and teachers' status to increase teachers' work motivation to improve quality in teaching and learning. A qualitative approach was employed where findings were based on interviews with ten Malaysian Excellent Teachers and documentary analysis of Guru Cemerlang Term of Reference produced by the Malaysian Ministry of Education. The participants were Excellent Teachers from the year 2000-2008. Data were analyzed using NVIVO 8 to identify thematic categories derived from the interviews and documents. The findings revealed that teachers reported that GCM award policy resulted in positive impacts on change of teachers' attitudes, teaching strategies and increased teachers' contributions toward promoting the quality in teaching and learning in their classroom. It supports the notion that reward and incentives will motivate teachers to improve the quality of work performance. The study concludes that the implementation of Malaysian Excellent Teacher policy has increased teachers' work motivation and thus promotes quality in teaching and learning. More empirical research needs to be carried out in Malaysia to explore and investigate to what extent Guru Cemerlang Malaysia could improve student outcomes and whether Guru Cemerlang Malaysia meets the standard requirement of excellence as outlined in the Terms of Reference on Excellent Teacher Concept used by Ministry of Education Malaysia. Keywords: Teachers' incentives; Motivation; Excellent Teacher; Quality teacher.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral-pg

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Strathclyde

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Saidin, Khaliza

DOI

10.48730/2411-vy61

Identifier

T13149

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:strathclyde:gb19f5896