A headmaster's influence extends far beyond the classroom. They are the gatekeepers of school culture, which increasingly prioritizes holistic well-being alongside academic achievement.

"Starting today, this school changes," Hamdan announced. "Not just the students. The teachers too. Every Wednesday, we will have a 'Health Check' assembly. No heavy meals in the canteen after 5 PM. And for the teachers—no sitting in the staff room during lunch break. We walk."

In the Malaysian context, "Cikgu Besar" (or Guru Besar) refers to the headteacher or principal of a school—a figure traditionally seen as the "big teacher" who balances the weight of administrative duty with the heart of an educator. The Story of Cikgu Ahmad: The Heartbeat of the School Cikgu Ahmad

Leading a school involves managing students, parents, and the Ministry (MOE), which can lead to burnout.

Cohort study on clustering of lifestyle risk factors ... - PubMed