By Vincent D’Silva

KULAI: The roar of motorcycle engines will mingle with the flutter of the Jalur Gemilang on Thursday as members of Kulai’s education fraternity take the spirit of Merdeka beyond classrooms and school gates in a special patriotic ride across the district.

The Merdeka Ride Programme, organised by the Kulai District Education Office (PPD Kulai) in cooperation with the Malaysian Headmasters Association, will bring together some 110 participants, comprising headmasters, education officers and clerical staff from schools and the district education office.

Held on Sept 10, the motorcycle convoy is being held in conjunction with National Month 2026, transforming a journey between schools into a moving expression of patriotism, solidarity and fellowship among members of the education community.

Rather than celebrating Merdeka within the confines of a hall, the participants will carry the national colours along the roads of Kulai, making their way from one school community to another.

The programme is expected began at 7am at the Kulai District Education Office, where participants will register and have breakfast before attending a safety briefing and convoy movement briefing.

A prayer recital will also be held before the convoy is officially flagged off at 8am.

From PPD Kulai, the riders will make their first stop at SJK(T) Ladang Kulai Besar, arriving at about 8.30am.

They will then continue to SJK(C) Kulai Besar, followed by SK Bandar Tenggara 2, SK Sinar Bahagia and, finally, SK Bandar Putera 2.

At the schools along the route, the visit will be more than a brief ceremonial stop.

Among the activities planned are the presentation of the Jalur Gemilang to the schools and pupils, the singing of patriotic songs and photography sessions involving members of the convoy and school communities.

At selected stops, Jalur Gemilang will be presented to the school as well as to 50 pupils, giving young Malaysians an opportunity to share in the celebration with the visiting education personnel.

The convoy is expected to reach SJK(C) Kulai Besar at about 9.30am, SK Bandar Tenggara 2 at 10.30am, and SK Sinar Bahagia at 11.30am, before departing for the final destination at noon.

The riders are scheduled to arrive at SK Bandar Putera 2 at 12.30pm, where the closing ceremony will be held.

The final stop carries added significance as SK Bandar Putera 2 is regarded as a newly established school, giving participants an opportunity to tour the premises and gain a closer look at its facilities.

The closing programme included the presentation of flags, the singing of Negaraku and Bangsa Johor, an address by the Kulai District Education Officer, and a photography session.

The convoy programme carried the message “Bersatu, Berdisiplin, Berjaya” — United, Disciplined, Successful, reflecting the organisers’ emphasis on teamwork and responsible riding alongside the celebration of national pride.

It also echoes the wider values promoted under Pendidikan Kulai Reform 2.0 — Execute to Achieve, namely solidarity, cooperation, commitment, integrity and excellence.

For the 110 participants, however, the ride was expected to be about more than motorcycles and kilometres travelled.

Every school gate they entered offered another opportunity to bring the Merdeka message directly to teachers and pupils — reminding them that love for the country can be expressed not only through speeches and ceremonies, but also through fellowship, shared purpose and simple acts of togetherness.

An education official said the programme was designed to strengthen the spirit of love for the country among educators, education officers, school staff and students while bringing the Independence Month celebrations closer to the school community.

“The programme is not merely about riding motorcycles from one school to another. It is about carrying the spirit of Merdeka with us and sharing that spirit with teachers, students and the wider school community,” the official said.

“One of our main objectives is to instil and strengthen pride and love for Malaysia among educators, PPD officers and students through simple but meaningful activities such as distributing the Jalur Gemilang and singing patriotic songs together.”

The official said such activities could help remind the younger generation that patriotism should go beyond ceremonial celebrations and instead become part of everyday life.

As motorcycles bearing the Jalur Gemilang travel from one corner of Kulai to another, the convoy will effectively turn the district’s roads into a moving celebration of Malaysia’s independence.

The programme concluded at about 2pm, after a luncheon and the completion of activities at SK Bandar Putera 2.