TLDR: Despite the Ministry of Education’s push for AI integration in schools, Minister Fadhlina Sidek emphasized that teachers are indispensable for verifying AI-generated information, ensuring human oversight and critical evaluation remain central to the learning process. This statement was made during the Digital Utilisation and Technology Awards (DUTA) 2024 Ceremony, where digital education pioneers were recognized.
KUALA LUMPUR – The Ministry of Education (MOE) is actively developing and implementing a range of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven initiatives aimed at enhancing teaching and learning across Malaysian schools. However, Minister Fadhlina Sidek underscored a critical caveat: information produced through AI technology necessitates rigorous verification by skilled individuals, with teachers serving as the most reliable point of reference within the classroom environment.
Speaking at the national-level Digital Utilisation and Technology Awards (DUTA) 2024 Ceremony on July 22, 2025, Minister Fadhlina reiterated the foundational principle that technology should primarily function as a supportive tool in education. She quoted, “Various reports by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) have consistently stressed that technology should serve as a tool to support education.” This statement highlights the MOE’s commitment to a balanced approach, integrating technological advancements while preserving the human element in education.
The Minister elaborated that the ongoing digital transformation within the national education system must remain firmly anchored in human capital development and the continuous strengthening of teacher professionalism. She asserted that technological advancements would only yield meaningful results if they are underpinned by knowledgeable, creative, and education-oriented teachers. This perspective positions educators not merely as facilitators of technology, but as critical evaluators and guides in an increasingly AI-influenced learning landscape.
The DUTA 2024 Ceremony itself served as a platform to acknowledge excellence in digital education. During the event, two distinguished educators were honored as Digital Teacher Icons, celebrated as role models and sources of inspiration for their peers in driving digital transformation. Mohammad Aliff Halmi from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tampang, Penang, was recognized as the Guru Penyelaras Teknologi, Komunikasi dan Maklumat (ICT) Icon, while El Gamillo Habibun Tan from SK Bukit Gasing, Terengganu, received the Guru Peneraju Generasi Digital Icon award. Both recipients were awarded RM800 and a trophy for their contributions.
In the District Education Office (PPD) category, PPD Dungun emerged as the champion, followed by PPD Batu Pahat in second place, and PPD Alor Gajah securing the third position. Winners in this category received a trophy and a tablet, generously contributed by the National Book Council of Malaysia.
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The DUTA 2024 Ceremony is an integral part of the MOE’s broader efforts to foster the innovative, creative, and ethical application of digital technology in teaching and learning, by publicly recognizing the significant achievements of students, teachers, and education leaders across the nation.
