English teacher Samuel Isaiah, 33, and science educator Norhailmi Abdul Mutalib, 39, are in the running to win USD1 million (about RM4.4 million) if they win the award, several news agencies reported.

Both the teachers already have multiple awards under their belts for their outstanding contribution to their professions.

The difference dedicated teachers can make

Samuel is currently a Fulbright scholar pursuing his masters in Education Policy and Leadership at the State University of New York.

He made headlines recently when the story of him traveling 200 kilometres everyday to teach orang asli children came to light.

In the eight years he taught at SK Runchang, he managed to crowdfund money to turn a poorly-equipped school into one with all the facilities a school in the 21-century should have, such as computers and tablets.

Through his efforts, the attendance at the school also improved and the passing rate for English went from 30 per cent to around 80 per cent.

Norhailmi, meanwhile, not only help students in his school, SMK Jerlun in Ayer Itam, to learn science through technology, but also runs an interactive blog to help students from all over to learn the subject.

His efforts has helped the students in his school perform better in science-related subjects. The school performed the third best in the district during the recent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations.

Continuing to serve the students

According to New Straits Times, both the teachers are planning on using the money they win (if they win) to further help students in the country.

If Norhilmi wins the award, he is planning on funding new STEM facilities for students, teachers and the community, and build an education hub with cutting-edge technology.

As for Samuel, he plans on providing his students with more musical instruments and upgrading the classroom so they have the advantage of the latest technology.

He also plans on working with his colleagues to empower other orang asli communities.