KENINGAU: July 4, 2026 – A special education teacher from rural Sabah has received three prestigious national and international awards in 2026, in recognition of his work with neurodivergent students.
Dr Velerie Wheelervon Primus, who teaches at SK Bingkor in Keningau, was named a Top 50 finalist for the Global Teacher Prize in February. The announcement was made at a ceremony in Dubai, placing him among the 50 best educators shortlisted from around the world.
In May, he received a special award from Malaysia’s Minister of Education – the ministry’s highest honour – for his contributions to developing special education and supporting students with learning needs.
His hat-trick of accolades was completed in June, when he was named the Southeast Asia and Pacific regional winner of the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. The award was presented at a ceremony in Kota Kinabalu.
Speaking after the latest recognition, Dr Velerie said the honours were not just personal achievements but reflected the quality of teaching in Malaysia.
“These recognitions are not mine alone. They belong to every teacher who walks into the classroom every day hoping to change a child’s life,” he said.
“I believe that when a teacher chooses to teach with knowledge and love, the impact can transcend borders.”
He said the three awards proved that classroom efforts could gain international recognition when backed by innovation, research and sustained commitment.
Dr Velerie said he hoped his achievements would encourage other educators to innovate, share best practices and strengthen Malaysia’s education system.
The awards, he added, would also help raise the profile of the teaching profession and reinforce the credibility of Malaysian teachers on the global stage.
