For this Sabah teacher, Jawi is a bridge between cultures
Lorenica Frenila Masundim uses the script to help students see language, identity and culture with greater curiosity and openness.
KOTA KINABALU: Lorenica Frenila Masundim, a 36-year-old Bahasa Melayu teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bawang in Beluran, uses Jawi to help students appreciate the script as part of the wider Malay language heritage. Initially viewed with unfamiliarity by some non-Muslim students, Lorenica's teaching fosters confidence and cultural understanding.
Her own interest in Jawi began in 2009 during teacher training, which later became her PhD research. To aid learning, Lorenica developed the PANtaS baCA application, which simplifies access to Jawi through transliteration and interactive exercises. Her dedication has garnered awards such as the Jawi Cross-Cultural Inspiration Teacher 2025 and Sabah Education Excellence Award 2025.
Lorenica emphasizes that learning another community's language can foster empathy and unity, stating that education acts as a bridge connecting people despite their differences.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- For this Sabah teacher, Jawi is a bridge between cultures freemalaysiatoday.com
