“Melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya (To bend a bamboo, start from its shoot).” – Traditional Malay proverb.
The best way to develop human capital is to start early. With this in mind, ECERDC has introduced an education initiative known as the Sinar ECER Programme in 2009 which gives a head start for children aged between 6 and 12 years old from hardcore poor and poor families to build a better future.
Aimed at the underprivileged children, especially those from the Agropolitan areas, SINAR ECER provides the participants the knowledge and living skills that are previously alien to them.
The objective of this programme is to promote academic excellence as well as develop positive mindsets and character-building among the participating youngsters.
The first Sinar Programme was carried out on August 3, 2009 in Runchang, Pahang, involving 60 children of Agropolitan Pekan participants, Orang Asli and hard core poor from the area. The half-day event also involved the participation of Petrosains and the Health Ministry.
As a continuation of this initiative, ECERDC has extended the programme to include three (3) modules comprising Tuition, ‘Interactive Days’ and ‘Kids Camp’.
Ninety-five (95) children are currently participating in the programme, of which 25 are from the South Kelantan Agropolitan Project in Gua Musang and another 70 are from the Pekan Agropolitan Project in Runchang, Pahang.
The tuition commenced in early July and ended in August 2010. Timed two months before UPSR, the classes provided were Bahasa Malaysia (BM), English, Science and Mathematics.
Classes were taught according to two levels based on the children’s age: The six to nine year-olds were placed in Level 1 classes that focused on the ‘3M’ of Membaca, Menulis, Mengira (Reading, Writing, Counting), while the ten to twelve year-olds were given Level 2 tuition which focused on BM, English, Mathematics and Science.
Apart from academic enhancement, the ‘Interactive Days’ module was also held from October 1-2 in Gua Musang and October 2-3, 2010 in Runchang as a platform to instill confidence and pride amongst the youngsters.
The module emphasised on mind-mapping and public speaking skills among children, as they were trained on how to speak confidently in public by engaging them in presentations and acting.
The third module, named ‘Kids Camp’, is a programme catered to educate the children on self-management skills such as personal grooming and is scheduled to be held in November 2010.
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SINAR ECER PROGRAMME: WHAT THE STAKEHOLDERS SAY
“Before Sinar ECER was introduced, most of the children will spend their free time playing. Since we (the parents) are busy working, we don’t have much time to go through their homework. I hope ECERDC will continue to carry out this programme because I have two children participating in Sinar and I can see that they are now more excited about their studies.” Abdul Karim bin Ghazali, 40 years old (Village Chief of South Kelantan Agropolitan)
“Sinar is the best thing that ECERDC has given us because it is difficult to find programmes that are catered specifically for our children. I have two sons attending the Sinar ECER programme aged 8 and 7. Prior to this programme, my eldest son did not know how to read. After Sinar ECER’s tuition from July to August this year, he is now able to read fluently and is now teaching his younger brother to read as well.” Kamarul Hisyam bin Ghazali, 32 years old (Deputy Village Chief of South Kelantan Agropolitan)
“I noticed improvement in my studies after joining Sinar’s tuition, especially in weaker subjects like Mathematics, Science and English. I obtained 2A’s and 3Bs in the UPSR trials examination and am targeting for 3As. I have also learnt to speak more confidently in public and to express my ideas more clearly.” Nurul Ailyn Binti Abdul Karim, 12 years old (Sinar ECER participant, South Kelantan Agropolitan)
“Under this programme, the students have shown significant progress whereby they are more confident and able to interact well especially with outsiders. Sinar is aimed to encourage these students to continue their study to the secondary level and not just to complete primary education. The parents who are the participants of the Agropolitan Pekan have shown great interest in the children’s education compared to before they participated in Sinar.” Ismail Md. Yassin, Headmaster Sekolah Kebangsaan Runchang, Pahang
“I like Sinar because this programme has improved my communication skills and exposed me and my friends to new skills set like mind mapping.” Rohasrizal a/l Hassan, 12 years old (Sinar ECER participant, Pekan Agropolitan) |
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