First full-fledged rehab school opens
KARANGAN: The country's first school dedicated to addressing learning loss among young drug users has opened its doors in Kedah.
Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) courses were introduced at the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) learning facility this month.
Welding, aircond repair and sewing modules by the National Youth Advance Skills Training Institute (IKTBN) and GiatMARA Nibong Tebal, are now being taught alongside formal classes at the school located in AADK's Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) Karangan.
The school, which opened in December last year, offers structured learning of six Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) core subjects, namely Bahasa Melayu, English Language, Science, Mathematics, History and Islamic Studies or Moral Education.
Zuraidah says approval was given to build the double-storey school block, complete with four classrooms, a computer lab and library, in 2021.
A total of 75 drug users are currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at Puspen Karangan, which can accommodate up to 300 clients, said its director Zuraidah Ayob.
Twenty-two are aged between 15 and 21. In addition, 17 will be sitting for the SPM this year under the guidance of four dedicated teachers, she said.
'We have 30 rehabilitation centres nationwide but this is AADK's first and only full-fledged school.
'Approval was given to build the double-storey school block complete with four classrooms, a computer lab and library in 2021.
'The school officially opened five months ago,' she said.
Prior to the setting up of the school, youths under AADK's Client Education Access Programme (PAPK) were given the opportunity to study at selected centres.
Introduced in 2015 to address learning loss, PAPK allows adolescents aged 18 and below to follow a structured learning timetable under the tutelage of teachers appointed under the Malaysia Short-Term Employment Programme.
On April 24, AADK director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said 25 SPM candidates who prepared for the exams under the PAPK programme sat for the 2024 exams at Puspen Seri Iskandar, Perak, and Papar, Sabah, had qualified for a certificate, having passed all the subjects they sat for.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
19-year-old Malaysian takes pride in Alam Flora drain cleaner job, netizens moved
A young man's job of being a drain cleaner in Alam Flora has reminded many to never judge a book by its cover. At just 19 years old, Muhammad Zamri Zaidi Nizam has become an unexpected inspiration on social media for his pride and positivity in working as a drain cleaner. Employed by Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, Zamri's candid reflections on his job — shared through the company's official TikTok page — have struck a chord with many Malaysians. 'We cannot judge a job based on one perspective only. We have to try working there first to truly understand what it feels like. 'We should not do something based on what others say. We do it for ourselves. If they feel that young people should not do these things, I will prove to them that I can,' said the young worker in the video. Zamri said he began working as a drain cleaner in June 2024, following the advice of his father, who also works at Alam Flora as a driver. He added that he had no specific plans for work or higher education at the time he finished his Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM). Recalling his early days on the job, Zamri said he initially felt intimidated by how fast his colleagues worked. As a new hire, he was only assigned basic tasks such as opening slabs, before eventually being allowed to enter the drains. Regarding acceptance, Zamri said his family fully supports his current job. 'With my family, it's okay because it's still work, and as long as it is halal (permissible),' he said. However, his friends were shocked by his choice of work, questioning why he had chosen it – but Zamri does not let their opinions affect him. 'Even though the workload is heavy, it's still manageable. And another thing – thank God –, the work helps me stay fit and my body feels light after clocking out because I get to do a lot of physical activity,' he added. Netizens were touched by the 19-year-old's positivity and determination in taking pride in a job that many would overlook. Others also praised Zamri's communication skills, noting how eloquently he spoke, and encouraged him to realise his full potential by furthering his studies. 'Why should you feel ashamed? I always tell my children that people who work in jobs like construction or the service industry are amazing – because without them, no one else would be able to do it,' one user commented.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
STPM top scorer from Jakun tribe set to pursue dreams at University of Manchester
KUANTAN: Driven by determination and hope, a young Orang Asli woman from the Jakun tribe has earned a place to study economics at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, marking a significant step forward in her mission to drive change in her community. Roziana Tan Beng Hai, 20, who scored a perfect 4.0 CGPA in the 2024 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination, said she chose to pursue economics and social studies with the ambition of becoming an economist. "I am the first person from Kampung Mentelung, Rompin, to sit for STPM. Not many people in my village have had the chance to study this far, and most of them are from the B40 group. "It's my hope to raise the living standard and create job opportunities for my community,' she told reporters at the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and STPM Outstanding Student Awards Ceremony organised by the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) at a hotel here on Tuesday. Roziana described the opportunity to study abroad as her way of repaying her mother, Rohani Lamwan, 56, who had raised her alone while working at an oil palm estate under YP Plantation Holdings Sdn Bhd. "I want to give my mother something to be proud of, so she'll know that raising me on her own wasn't in vain,' said Roziana, who is currently preparing to sit for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) on July 19. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Siti Nur Hawani Muhammad Almi, who scored 9As in the SPM examination, said she would pursue Islamic Education at the Teacher Training Institute, Dato' Razali Ismail Campus, Kuala Terengganu, starting Aug 11. The former Sekolah Menengah Agama Al-Hasanah student said furthering studies in Islamic Education was her first choice as she aspired to become an Ustazah (religious teacher). "I was truly inspired by my teachers at school and found that teaching is something I actually enjoy. "I used to help my friends study during SPM, and that's where my passion grew,' she said. At the same time, Siti Nur Hawani encouraged SPM candidates to step out of their comfort zones to achieve extraordinary results. "I never used to get 8As or 9As. Usually, I scored 5As or 6As. I wasn't very focused at first, but as SPM got closer, I realised I needed to change. I pushed myself to work harder, and in the end, I achieved 9As. Alhamdulillah,' she said. Roziana and Siti Nur Hawani were among 149 Orang Asli students recognised for their academic achievements at the ceremony. Jakoa deputy director-general (Development) Zamri Mustajap said a total of RM45,550 in incentives was allocated to all recipients.- Bernama
Barnama
6 days ago
- Barnama
STPM Top Scorer From Jakun Tribe Set To Pursue Dreams At University Of Manchester
KUANTAN, July 15 (Bernama) -- Driven by determination and hope, a young Orang Asli woman from the Jakun tribe has earned a place to study economics at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, marking a significant step forward in her mission to drive change in her community. Roziana Tan Beng Hai, 20, who scored a perfect 4.0 CGPA in the 2024 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination, said she chose to pursue economics and social studies with the ambition of becoming an economist. 'I am the first person from Kampung Mentelung, Rompin, to sit for STPM. Not many people in my village have had the chance to study this far, and most of them are from the B40 group. 'It's my hope to raise the living standard and create job opportunities for my community,' she told reporters at the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and STPM Outstanding Student Awards Ceremony organised by the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) at a hotel here today. Roziana described the opportunity to study abroad as her way of repaying her mother, Rohani Lamwan, 56, who had raised her alone while working at an oil palm estate under YP Plantation Holdings Sdn Bhd. 'I want to give my mother something to be proud of, so she'll know that raising me on her own wasn't in vain,' said Roziana, who is currently preparing to sit for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) on July 19. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Siti Nur Hawani Muhammad Almi, who scored 9As in the SPM examination, said she would pursue Islamic Education at the Teacher Training Institute, Dato' Razali Ismail Campus, Kuala Terengganu, starting Aug 11. The former Sekolah Menengah Agama Al-Hasanah student said furthering studies in Islamic Education was her first choice as she aspired to become an Ustazah (religious teacher). 'I was truly inspired by my teachers at school and found that teaching is something I actually enjoy.
