Her parents went so far as to seek help from others to teach her; today, Raja Shahridah is a recipient of the Caring Teacher Award.

Ten educators were recognised at the Caring Teacher Awards (CTA) 2026 on 21 August, selected from more than 18,000 nominations — an increase of nearly 40 per cent from the previous edition. Four educators received the National Award, while six received the National Commendation Award.

Among the National Award recipients was Ms Raja Shahridah from Beatty Secondary School, whose own upbringing has shaped the way she supports and connects with her students. Growing up in a modest household, she recalled how her parents, who had limited formal education, would approach polytechnic or junior college students for help with her schoolwork. Their sacrifices taught her the importance of love, patience and perseverance — values she now brings into her teaching.

At school, Ms Raja Shahridah focuses on building trust by listening to students and understanding the circumstances behind their behaviour. She also started the “Cooking Sense” series, where cooking and sharing meals provide students with a space to connect, open up and build confidence.

For Ms Raja Shahridah, one of the most meaningful moments in her 13 years of teaching is hearing students begin to believe in themselves and say, “Teacher, I can do it.”

Read the feature on Berita Mediacorp here and watch the feature on Berita Mediacorp here.