A holistic approach to well-being is crucial, moving beyond mere academic performance, to foster resilience among students and educators, especially in rural schools that often lack resources. This insight was shared by the Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.

He emphasized that to cultivate a generation that is healthy, resilient, and prepared for the future, comprehensive support across the educational landscape is essential, as both students and teachers are increasingly facing significant pressures.

Challenges in Education

In today’s educational environment, teachers face heavier workloads, new demands due to digital learning, and the ongoing challenge of assisting students who have navigated the pandemic with varying academic and emotional needs.

Students, on the other hand, are dealing with issues such as physical inactivity, stress, dependence on screens, and unequal access to sports and health programs, particularly when comparing urban and rural areas.

During the opening ceremony of the 11th Asia-Pacific Conference on Exercise and Sports Science (APCESS) 2025, the Minister’s speech was delivered by his deputy, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, who represented him.

Support and Collaboration

Sagah highlighted the vital role that sports science committees play in promoting well-being within schools, underscoring their capacity to develop solutions that can enhance entire school communities.

He proposed several collaborative opportunities, including the creation of scalable models for physical activity that can be effectively implemented in schools.

“Many schools, especially in the rural regions of Sarawak, report having more teachers than students, with some institutions having as few as four or five students,” he noted.

He suggested exploring simple activity models that require minimal equipment yet deliver significant impact, such as classroom-based movement routines, brief high-energy activity breaks, or community design games that resonate with local cultural practices.

Frameworks for Well-Being

Additionally, he urged the establishment of evidence-based frameworks to support teacher well-being, pointing out that stress is a major factor contributing to early retirement among teachers in Malaysia.

“Delegates may consider frameworks that incorporate psychological support, peer monitoring, mentoring, collaborative planning, and tools for managing workload,” he stated.

He also encouraged leveraging digital and wearable technologies to monitor health and integrate physical activity with mental health initiatives, drawing on Sarawak’s rich cultural and indigenous practices to enhance overall well-being.

APCESS 2025 Conference

APCESS 2025, running from December 16 to 19, is hosting delegates from 35 countries and serves as a platform for collaboration among universities, research centers, government agencies, and industry partners to improve sustainable health and education outcomes.

The conference addresses key aspects such as exercise science, physical education, mental well-being, sports management, and the utilization of technologies like artificial intelligence and wearable devices, while fostering international cooperation and cross-border research.

Notable attendees included Prof Chin Ming-Kai, international advisor, founder, and president of the Foundation for Global Community Health; Assoc Prof Dr Ngui Kwang Sing, acting chief executive officer of Swinburne Innovation Malaysia; Assoc Prof Dr Govindasamy Balasekaran, president of Nanyang Technological University Singapore and conference chair; and Prof Dr Ida Fatimawati Adi Badiozaman, deputy pro vice-chancellor (Research) at Swinburne Technology Sarawak.