As Malaysia heads towards achieving the status of a fully-developed nation, the tasks of teachers have become more and more challenging, especially with the huge responsibility entrusted on them to produce quality human capital to spur progress for the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said teachers need to equip their students with new knowledge and skills to enable them to compete in a more competitive environment at the national and international levels.

"This includes having higher-order thinking skills, ability to analyse and apply the knowledge, communication skills, creativity and innovation.

"All these knowledge and skills need to be included in the teaching and learning process. If teachers can perform their teaching duties effectively, then students will be able to master all the desired knowledge and skills," he said in his message in conjunction with Teacher's Day celebration here on Friday.

Teacher's Day is celebrated on May 16 every year in Malaysia.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said at the same time, teachers should also pay serious attention to moral aspects and personality development of students, in line with the objective of the National Philosophy of Education to produce balanced human capital.

The deputy prime minister said there was no use for the country to achieve material development if it was not supported with the practice of good moral values.

"We need to remember that the fully developed nation that we want to build is based on our own mold and moral values are the primary elements," he said.

He said the theme for the Teacher's Day celebration this year, "Guru: Membina Ilmu, Menyempurnakan Akhlak" (Teacher: Building Knowledge, Perfecting Morals) was indeed apt and in accordance with the objective to produce balanced human capital.

He also expressed confidence that with the various initiatives lined up under the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025, as well as the support from all teachers, the noble aspiration to produce knowledgeable human capital with good morals would be achieved.

Muhyiddin also called on teachers to work harder and be diligent, highly disciplined and trustworthy to take the quality of national education to greater heights.

"Finally, I would like to wish Happy Teacher's Day to all teachers, wherever you are," he said.