4/13/2014 — http://www.bernama.com/bernama
JELI, KELANTAN – 13 APRIL 2014: A total of 128 students were honored as “Juara empower ECER Jeli” today as they scored 5A’s and above in the 2013 National examinations; Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah UPSR), Peperiksaan Menengah Rendah (PMR) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). The achievers were celebrated in an event organized by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC).
Witnessed by their teachers and parents, they received Certificates of Achievements from Guest of Honor YB Dato’ Haji Abdul Aziz Derashid, ADUN Kuala Balah.
In his statement, ECERDC Chief Executive Officer said, “Every year, we select 400 students in each location to attend Academic Skills Training Program. Of this number, we have with us 128 students in Jeli honored as Juara empower ECER. This means that more than 30% of students who attended our program in Jeli last year scored 5A’s and above.
“I congratulate the students for their perseverance and pursuit of excellence. I also say Syabas to their parents and teachers, because their support and guidance would have helped motivate and inspire them to discover their potential.”
In the 2013 UPSR examination, there were 28 Juara empower ECER, from SK Jeli 1 (16 students), SK Kuala Balah (10 students) and SK Gual Jedok (2 students).
In the 2013 PMR examinations, there were 46 Juara empower ECER. SMK Bukit Bunga topped the list, producing 26 Juara empower ECER, followed by SMK Ayer Lanas (15 students) and SMK Kuala Balah (5 students).
In the 2013 SPM examination, there were 54 Juara empower ECER, led by students from SMK Tan Sri Mohd Yaacob (13 students), SMK Bukit Bunga (11 students), SMK Ayer Lanas (11 students), SMK Kuala Balah (11 students), SMK Batu Melintang (7 students) and SMK Jeli (1 student).
The 2013 achievements recorded 6% increase compared with 2012 results, of which 98 out of 520 students achieved 5A’s and above in 2012.
empower ECER is the flagship human capital development program of the East Coast Economic Development Council (ECERDC). It was introduced in Bentong in 2010 with tremendous success, and the following year it was implemented in Jeli, among other rural locations in ECER.
The two-pronged empower ECER targets low income groups in rural ECER, and offers Academic Skills Training for students sitting for national examinations and Skills and Entreprenuership Training for housewives, single mothers, jobless youths and disadvantaged individuals. The ultimate goal of Empower ECER is to tap the potential of disadvantaged individuals, and ensure they have the mindset and skill sets to seize opportunities in the transformational economy of ECER.
empower ECER is a unique programme that combines remedial classes with confidence building. To create a more level playing field, empower ECER focuses on exposing the participants to a variety of learning experiences.
Overall, empower ECER has a record of delivering 100% passes among students. The program is conducted in 17 locations; nine locations in Pahang, namely Bentong, Temerloh, Raub, Lipis, Cameron Highlands, Jerantut, Maran, Rompin and Kuala Pahang; three locations in Kelantan, namely, Jeli, Bachok and Ketereh; four locations in Terengganu, namely, Kemaman, Dungun, Hulu Terengganu and Besut; and in the ECER district of Mersing, Johor.
In 2014, empower ECER’s Academic Training programme conducted in Kelantan has recorded the participation of 1,320 students sitting for three national examinations. It consists of 480 participants sitting for the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR), 360 participants for Pentaksiran Tingkatan 3 (PT3) and 480 participants for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
To date, the program has benefitted 34,113 participants across ECER, comprising 22,938 students and 11,175 adults. For adult participants, it is estimated that up to 80% of participants will gain employment after completing their courses or have sufficient knowledge and practical experience to start their own business, and the ability to generate income of between RM500 and RM1,500 per month, or even more.
