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Kota Kinabalu: Special education teacher Velerie Wheelervon Primus from SK Bingkor in Keningau has placed Sabah on the global education map after being named the sole teacher representative from Southeast Asia among the Top 50 finalists for the Global Teacher Prize 2026.

The recognition elevates both SK Bingkor and Sabah internationally while underscoring Malaysia’s growing reputation for inclusive education rooted in compassion, dignity and practical impact on learners.

Velerie, who serves as Senior Assistant (Special Education) at SK Bingkor, is no stranger to national honours, having been named Malaysia Teacher Prize winner in 2024 and receiving the National Distinguished Special Education Teacher Award in the same year.

His work began as a personal initiative funded through his own resources, which saw a disused classroom transformed into a Sustainable Multisensory Learning Centre complete with therapy rooms, a Stem room, play therapy spaces and a nature-based learning environment.

Through his self-developed Miracles and Hope Models, students with special needs who once faced severe limitations have made measurable progress, including children who gained mobility, non-verbal students who began communicating, and autistic learners who developed academic, emotional and social skills.

The impact of these innovations has extended beyond SK Bingkor, with Special Education teachers nationwide now referencing the models, positioning the rural school as a source of globally recognised educational practice.

Velerie’s selection for the Global Teacher Prize 2026, together with his earlier national accolades, highlights the capacity of rural schools in Sabah to nurture world-class educators and meaningful educational change.

“This is not a personal achievement, but a shared victory for the Special Education students of SK Bingkor, the parents who never gave up, and the entire school community that continues to believe in the potential of every child,” he said.

The achievement is expected to inspire educators nationwide by affirming that lasting progress in education begins when care, patience and belief in every child are placed at the centre of teaching.