A Malaysian teacher recently went viral after sharing a heartwarming video where she taught her students how to write in the Jawi script, garnering attention for both her exceptional handwriting and her cultural inclusiveness. The teacher, Loren Fren, who hails from Sabah and is a Christian, broke stereotypes about the Jawi script, a traditional writing system associated with Malay culture and Islamic heritage. Her video, which showcased her teaching efforts, has captivated Malaysians, racking up over 1.1 million views and more than 21k likes on Facebook.
In the video, Loren is seen standing at the front of her class, writing a Malay proverb, "Bagai aur dengan tebing" (like the bamboo and the riverbank), in Jawi script on the whiteboard. She then displayed several papers with her beautifully written Jawi letters, impressing viewers with her clear and elegant script. Accompanying the visuals, the text overlay read, "Teaching Jawi script this morning," and in the caption, Loren explained that she doesn't teach Jawi frequently, but wanted to commemorate the occasion with a video.
She elaborated that since 2020, the Jawi script has been a part of the Bahasa Melayu syllabus for Year 4 students and will continue until Year 6. The goal is for to students be exposed to the cultural and historical richness of Malay art and heritage. Loren also emphasized the importance of learning the Jawi script as part of Malaysia's diverse cultural identity, urging people to avoid negative perceptions of this historical script.
The video quickly drew praise, including a comment from former Education Minister Dr. Maszlee Malik, who applauded Loren for her dedication to teaching and promoting Malaysian culture. Many others also commended Loren's meticulous handwriting and her role as an educator who embodies the spirit of Malaysia's multiculturalism.
Loren's video not only highlights the beauty of the Jawi script but also serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural preservation and inclusiveness in education. Through her thoughtful approach, she has demonstrated how Malaysian educators can bridge cultural divides and promote unity.
