KUCHING, July 27: Some 100 students from eight primary schools in Lubok Antu, Sri Aman benefited from a workshop as part of the Jalinan Mesra Peribumi programme that provided academic guidance on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and English subjects to prepare them for a high-technology society of the future.
Following the programme’s success in schools at Kapit and Baleh since 2017, Sarawak Energy in collaboration with Teachers Education Institute (IPG) Sarawak Campus (Peribumi Excellent Centre Sarawak Zone) and the Lubok Antu District Education Office held the four-day programme recently at SK Lubok Antu.
The eight schools involved were SK Lubok Antu, SK Batang Ai, SK Melaban, SK Nanga Delok, SK Nanga Kumpang, SK Nanga Tibu, SK Skarok and SK Ulu Engkari.
A motivational talk was also conducted for parents and teachers on how they can effectively encourage the children to prioritise education and pursue higher learning.
During the closing ceremony at Rumah Machau Seman, Nanga Kumpang, Sarawak Energy’s Corporate Social Responsibility general manager Jiwari Abdullah said Sarawak Energy was pleased to resume this education programme after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This programme has received positive feedback ever since it was organised previously at the schools in Kapit and Baleh and this year we chose to extend it to the schools here in Lubok Antu as our commitment to being a good corporate neighbour.
“Education and young people is one of the pillars that guides our social investment initiatives so we are only happy to come onboard and provide support in terms of academic guidance through the STEM learning approach that integrates the discipline of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, all of which prepares our new generation for a high-technology society of the future,” he said in a media release today.
Echoing this, IPG Sarawak Campus deputy director Dr Chin Peng Yee said it had been working closely with Sarawak Energy in the implementation of this educational enhancement programme over the years.
“This initiative is in line with Wave 2 of Malaysia’s Education Blueprint 2013 – 2025 where it was stated that there should be involvement and cross-cooperation between government, private sectors, and NGOs in promoting STEM subjects to the community.”
Meanwhile Lubok Antu District’s education officer Vevien Mujah said the district’s education office appreciated programmes like this and hoped the programme would expand to include more students in Lubok Antu.
Also present were Batang Ai HEP station manager David Gunda, Jalinan Mesra Peribumi programme coordinator Ling Snelus Angking, SK Lubok Antu headmaster Harold Wilson Api as well as the community from neighbouring longhouses. — DayakDaily
