PETALING JAYA: Dedicated Chinese independent school teachers who have served more than 25 years are eligible to apply for the first time an appreciation fund from the Malaysian Social Entrepreneurs Foundation (MSEF), when they reach the age of 65.

MSEF, a non-governmental organisation set up in 2021, has pledged to award teachers and staff of Chinese independent schools under a scheme called Thank You Teacher Fund (TQT Fund) for 10 years beginning this year.

Teachers and staff meeting the criteria will be eligible for RM6,000 cash each year until 2033, or when the recipient passes on.

The fund started with RM45.5 million raised internally and targeted RM60 million in 10 years.

MSEF President Datuk Chan Wah Kiang said the fund is a token of appreciation for teachers and staff from society.

It is neither a retirement fund nor a cash aid, he said.

In an interview with Sin Chew Daily, Chan said he was concerned with the development of Chinese independent schools in the country.

Dr Aki Chong Li Chin, a member of the board of directors, said rewarding teachers and staff of Chinese independent schools is the first step by MSEF. It may be extended to conforming secondary schools known as SMJKs.

The objective of the scheme is to attract more people to come forward for a good cause, she said.

“Some schools heard about our project and have topped up the fund for teachers.

“Some entrepreneurs told us they would take over from us as TQT Fund 2.0.

“The impact of attracting more to join us is actually happening,” she said.

Unlike teachers from government schools, Dr Chong said Chinese independent schools do not have a standard management and welfare system.

By taking the lead to announce the scheme when the fund has yet to reach the RM60 million target, Dr Chong said MSEF hopes to pool resources from the public to assist teachers and staff at Chinese independent schools.

MSEF is organising a “Thank You Teacher Dinner” every year, when the recipients will each receive RM3,000 cash, while another RM3,000 is disbursed between July and December, she said.

The first dinner will be held on 1 June.

Currently, the number of teachers and staff reaching the age of 65 are between 700 and 800.

MSEF focuses on education support, develop well-rounded social leaders and social welfare to build a platform recognised by the corporate sector.

The organisation hopes to gather entrepreneurs from various sectors to explore sustainable development, create social values and solutions to social problems.