MIRI: A team of secondary school teachers here has captured national attention by transforming a once ordinary patch of school ground into a vibrant, large-scale artwork inspired by Sarawak’s rich ethnic heritage.
The teachers at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Merbau, led by art educator Nancy Maria Thomas, have reimagined their school landscape into what resembles a traditional Sarawak woven mat or tikar, using nothing more than paint, creativity and thousands of concrete bricks.
The result is a breathtaking mosaic that has struck a chord with social media users across Malaysia.
“What was once plain grass and faded bricks is now a canvas for ethnic patterns, vibrant colours and bold expression,” said Nancy, whose photo of the transformed courtyard went viral earlier this week.
Her simple Facebook post, which included a shot of the newly painted bricks forming ethnic motifs and a powerful central message reading ‘FIGHT TO BE THE BEST’, garnered thousands of likes, over 3,000 comments and more than 180 shares within two days.
This labour-intensive project which saw each brick hand-painted and carefully arranged is more than an aesthetic upgrade.
The courtyard, once an overlooked corner of the school, has become a beacon of inspiration and pride, not just for the students but for the wider community.
“This is what happens when you give teachers the freedom to create,” said Nancy.
“It’s not just about beautifying the school, it’s about building a positive atmosphere where students feel uplifted every day.”
SMK Merbau is no stranger to praise. The school made headlines previously for its exceptionally clean and well-designed toilets, which were compared to hotel standards and dubbed ‘five-star’ by visitors and inspectors alike.
That earlier initiative was also driven by staff commitment and a shared belief that a pleasant environment contributes to student morale and performance.
Together, these projects reflect a broader ethos at SMK Merbau, one that values creativity, ownership and the power of grassroots transformation.
While many schools struggle with funding or wait on policy changes, the teachers here have simply rolled up their sleeves and built something extraordinary with what they had.
The response online has been overwhelmingly positive.
Educators across the country have applauded the project as a model of what’s possible when passion and vision come together. Parents, alumni and even former teachers have chimed in to express their admiration and pride in the school’s continuous efforts to stand out.
