Holistic approach key to building resilient students, educators — Minister
by Aileen Yap · Borneo Post OnlineKUCHING (Dec 17): A holistic approach to well-being, rather than a sole focus on academic performance, is essential for nurturing resilient students and educators particularly in rural schools with limited resources, said Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
He said that building a healthy, resilient, active, and future-ready generation required stronger support across the entire education ecosystem, as both students and teachers are facing growing pressures.
“Teachers today juggle heavier workloads, new expectations brought about by digital learning, and the ongoing challenge of supporting students who have managed through the pandemic with diverse academic and emotional needs.
“Many students in turn are confronting issues of physical inactivity, stress, screen dependency and uneven access to sports and health programmes, especially between the urban and rural communities,” he said at the opening ceremony of the 11th Asia-Pacific Conference on Exercise and Sports Science (APCESS) 2025 at a hotel here yesterday.
His speech was delivered by his deputy Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, who represented him.
Sagah stressed that sports science committees play a crucial role in supporting a school’s wellbeing, and have the influence to shape solutions that can uplift entire school communities.
He outlined several opportunities for collaboration, including the design of scalable physical activity models that can be implemented across schools.
“Many schools, particularly in the rural areas of Sarawak, have more teachers than students, with some having fewer than 150 students while others have as few as four or five students.
“Let’s explore simple activity models that require minimal equipment but deliver meaningful impact—this includes classroom-based movement routines, short high-energy activity breaks, or community design games that align with cultural practices,” he said.
He also called for the development of evidence-based frameworks to support teacher wellbeing, noting that stress was a key factor contributing to early retirement among teachers in Malaysia.
“Delegates may consider frameworks that combine psychological support, peer monitoring, mentoring, cooperative planning, and workload management tools,” he said.
He further encouraged the use of digital and wearable technologies to monitor health and integrate physical activity with mental health initiatives, while also drawing on Sarawak’s rich cultural and indigenous practices to promote overall well-being.
“Delegates can explore how traditional games, movement practices, and indigenous wisdom contribute to wellbeing,” he added.
APCESS 2025, held from December 16 to 19, is attended by delegates from 35 countries and provides a platform for collaboration among universities, research centres, government agencies and industry partners to advance sustainable health and education outcomes.
The conference covers key areas including exercise science, physical education, mental well-being, sports management and the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence and wearable devices, while promoting international collaboration and cross-border research.
Also present were Foundation for Global Community Health international advisor, founder and president Prof Chin Ming-Kai; Swinburne Innovation Malaysia acting chief executive officer Assoc Prof Dr Ngui Kwang Sing; Nanyang Technological University Singapore and Asian Council of Exercise and Sports Science president and conference chair Assoc Prof Dr Govindasamy Balasekaran and Swinburne Technology Sarawak deputy pro vice-chancellor (Research) Prof Dr Ida Fatimawati Adi Badiozaman.