From rural Baram to global recognition: The inspirational journey of Cikgu Aug
by Philip Kiew · Borneo Post OnlineIN the heart of the Baram interior, a teacher from SK Long Miri gives his all to bring global recognition to a rural school, where the community struggles just to stay connected.
The primary school, which houses 51 pupils under the charge of 14 teachers, is about five to six hours’ drive from Miri city.
The nearest town, Long Lama, is about a two-hour journey on board a four-wheel drive vehicle (4WD).
The majority of the pupils are Kayans, followed by Kenyahs and some Ibans.
For Augustine Ngali Geling, his intention has always been to make learning work for the children who deserve every chance to make things happen, despite the odds.
As such, he felt that his ‘Global Education Award 2025-Innovation in Teaching’ win at the Global Excellence Conclave (GEC) in Bangkok earlier this month was never part of the plan.
His school, nevertheless, really celebrated his feat.
“This success is an international recognition of his dedication and innovation in strengthening teaching and learning practices, which have a great impact on the development of students and school management,” said SK Long Miri in a post on its official Facebook page.
“This award brings glory to his name, and to SK Long Miri at the global level.”
More fondly known as ‘Cikgu Aug’, Augustine said the honour felt ‘surreal’.
“It’s never my intention to work for awards.
“I only work to solve problems,” said the 32-year-old educator.
“I guess that’s why the awards come on their own,” he chuckled.
‘Giving back’
The eldest among five siblings, Augustine grew up in Long Tuyut, and underwent primary education at SK Sungai Bok in Tinjar, Baram.
Returning years later to serve in the very district that had shaped him, was ‘both a calling, and a responsibility’ for him.
Married to a fellow teacher in Samarahan, Augustine is the first in his family to earn a degree.
“SK Long Miri is not just where I work; it’s where I grew, where I learned, and where my heart learned to serve.”
What started as routine teaching soon became a transformative journey.
The young educator found himself becoming not only a teacher, but also a mentor, a warden and a guide, before becoming SK Long Miri’s senior assistant for students’ affairs.
“In this small school, far from the city, I see real challenges.
“But I also see real courage in our students, in our teachers, in our community.
“That courage stands as the reason behind every project that I have created.”
For this teacher, it was innovation born out of need. Every idea developed came from the struggles that he witnessed first-hand.
‘Making history lesson enjoyable again’
‘SEJARia’, Augustine’s first major innovation, was introduced early this year to help pupils enjoy history lessons while memorising the dates and the facts.
“It’s fun, simple and meaningful.”
The impact was immediate: eight out of nine Year 6 pupils improved in their results for the History paper in the Final Academic Session Exam (UASA); others maintained average performance, but still indicative of encouraging personal development.
Inspired by how quickly pupils in the remote areas had adapted to digital tools, Augustine spoke about his plan to expand what worked for ‘SEJARia’ into other subjects, under a new framework called ‘TransDigi’ set for next year.
“I look at today’s generation and I see ‘diamonds’.
“Even in the remote pockets, they are incredibly close to technology.
“That inspired me to create something that could fit into their world.”
Digital systems to ease teacher’s burden
Augustine has also created the ‘BINTANG’ system – a QR-code based platform to record pupils’ character development.
The mechanism is that every month, one high-performing pupil receives the ‘BINTANG Award’, based on teachers’ votes.
The system has since grown into a full digital ecosystem called the ‘3iPro’, which streamlines monitoring and administration, which lightens the loads off the teachers who are already juggling multiple tasks.
Other schools that have seen the systems have begun exploring ways to adapt them to their own implementation.
‘Challenges, and ambitions’
For a remote Sarawak school to join the ranks of other GEC honourees is a historic first not only for SK Long Miri, but also for Baram.
Nonetheless, Augustine said he would want people to see SK Long Miri not as ‘a remote school’, but as ‘an inspirational school’.
“I hope my journey will also inspire other teachers.”
Nonetheless, Augustine admitted that the journey had not been easy.
“My purpose is always the same – to help fellow teachers, to help students, to make the system easier, and to make the school stronger.
“Along the way, I have trained myself too to become a coach, an ambassador, an educator – and now, a PhD researcher.
“Working in an interior area can be lonely.
“On some days, you’d wonder if anyone noticed your efforts,” he said.
“So when recognition came, it felt like a gentle voice saying: ‘Yes, your work matters. Keep going’.”
Augustine is now pursuing PhD in Early Childhood Education, focusing on developing ‘TransDigi’, which combines multiple digital approaches into one framework for rural schools.
“I hope that one day, it will support preschools and HEM (students’ affairs) leadership across Sarawak.
“I don’t expect the journey to get easier, but I do expect myself to grow stronger.”
For Augustine, the GEC award is not his alone – it is also an honour shared with Baram, and Sarawak for that matter.
“I don’t feel proud of myself. I feel proud for SK Long Miri, for our students, and for our community,” he said.
“Every award belongs to all of us, including Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau and the District Education Office.”
Augustine’s message for his fellow teachers is simple, but resoundingly powerful: “You don’t need a big school to make a big impact.
“You only need a big heart as a teacher.”
GEC – A meaningful movement
The GEC is designed for visionaries and professionals across sectors who share a common goal – to lead with purpose, inspire innovation, and leave a lasting mark.
It embraces educational institutions and universities that are seeking global visibility; school leaders and administrators advancing academic excellence; teachers and trainers setting out to create meaningful classroom impact; corporate leaders and entrepreneurs driving innovation and sustainability; government officials and policy influencers shaping development; social innovators, researchers, and thought leaders contributing to change; and young achievers and students shaping the next generation of leadership.
What began as Asia’s most prestigious education summit has evolved into a worldwide movement.
The GEC now convenes in Bangkok, Dubai and India, bringing together more than 200 global leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, and youth icons representing over 30 countries.
Each edition is a powerful blend of dialogue, recognition, and connection – uniting ideas that inspire progress and partnerships that shape the future.