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Daily Express
a day ago
- General
- Daily Express
English boost for 51 rural schools
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Nancy launching REAL programme at SK Pekan, Papar as Tulip (right) and others RCKK Pearl and LDS Charities members look on. Kota Kinabalu: A total of 51 schools across 14 districts in Sabah are now part of the rural focus English for all (REAL) programme since its inception in 2016. "More than 10,000 students have benefitted from this initiative, which has received about RM1 million in funding for the purchase of teaching materials,' said Tulip Noorazyze, Chair of Project REAL under the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu (RCKK) Pearl. Advertisement She said the programme includes inter-school and inter-district competitions, and teacher training workshops. 'Over the past nine years, we've seen significant improvements in students' English examination results and overall proficiency. This progress is also reflected in the annual poem writing, speech, and storytelling competitions,' she added. The club also organises annual teacher training workshops, conducted by professional English language trainers, to introduce creative and engaging methods for teaching English in rural schools. She said the club will continue its efforts to expand the programme to as many rural schools as possible. This year, the initiative was launched in 12 primary schools across Pitas, Papar, and Beaufort, in collaboration with the Sabah State Education Department. The schools in Pitas are SK Rosob, SK Bangkau-Bangkau, and SK Bawing. In Papar, the schools involved are SK Pekan Papar, SJKC Tung Shan, SK Lingan, and SK Ulu Lumagar. The participating schools in Beaufort are SK Padas Damit, SK Kota Klias, SK Biah Batu 65, SK Linungkuan, and SK Lembah Poring. The launch was officiated by Senior Assistant Director of the Language Unit at the Sabah Education Department, Nancy @ Aminah Idrus. Also present were RCKK Pearl President Chendramata Sinteh, Elder Larry and Sister Hathaway from Latter-day Saints (LDS) Charities, who sponsored the programme in the 12 schools. Project REAL aims to bridge the English proficiency gap between rural and urban students. Each school receives between 400 and 600 English storybooks, bilingual dictionaries for all students, smart TVs or LCD projectors, bookshelves, floor mats, and stools donated by the club. As part of the project's requirements, each headmaster or headmistress and the English language panel must draw up five action plans to enhance English proficiency in their schools. The initiative aligns with the Education Department's high immersive programme. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
RCKK Pearl seeks government backing for firefly eco-tourism project
Published on: Thursday, July 10, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 10, 2025 Text Size: Photo shows Liew (seated at centre), flanked by Lai (on her left) and Chendramata, with the rest of the delegation. Kota Kinabalu: The Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl (RCKK Pearl) is seeking collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) for its Project Kelip-Kelip Eco Tourism Initiative, an environmental conservation project at Kg Darau near here. Basically, the Club is embarking on the project that integrates mangrove restoration with firefly habitat preservation and community engagement with the aim of establishing a sustainable eco-tourism destination that will benefit both nature and the local community in the village. A delegation from RCKK Pearl led by its President Chendramata Hj Sinteh (2024-2025) presented the club's collaboration proposal to the Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew during a recent courtesy call. Others were Immediate Past President Rosie Chong Fung Fung, President-elect Datin Jeanette Tambakau, Past President Datuk Aminah Ambrose and Vice-President Adelina Adna. Chendramata urged the Ministry to consider joining RCKK Pearl as a key partner by providing funding support for their impactful project. 'Your support will greatly amplify the project's impact and drive us toward achieving our objectives more effectively,' the President told the Minister. Liew will be the guest of honour at the official launching and sighting of Kelip-Kelip Rehabilitation Site and Mangrove Planting at Kg Darau on September 5 from 6pm to 9pm. She reiterated the State Government's commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental conservation. The launch programme entails mangrove tree planting, environmental education sessions, a guided boat tour along the Darau River, and a showcase of community-led conservation efforts. Also present was the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
25-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
English project for three more Pitas schools: Rotary
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Launch of Project Real in three rural schools in Pitas through the joint efforts of RCKK Pearl, LDS Charities and the Sabah State Education Department. PITAS: The Rural Focused English for All (Project Real) has been extended to three more rural schools in Pitas – SK Rosob, SK Bangkau Bangkau and SK Bawing – through the efforts of the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl (RCKK Pearl). The initiative is a collaboration with the Sabah State Education Department and is sponsored by LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Malaysia. The launch at SK Rosob expands Project Real to five schools in Pitas, from two in 2019 supported by the Australian High Commission in Malaysia. Senior Assistant Director of the Language Unit at the department, Nancy @ Aminah Idrus, welcomed the partnership with RCKK Pearl, saying that together they can help build confidence and improve the language skills of rural students. Elder Larry Hathaway of LDS Charities said improving English proficiency in rural communities opens doors to greater opportunities in education, careers and life. SK Bangkau Bangkau headmistress Ruhanah Omboyou expressed her appreciation to RCKK Pearl for bringing Project Real to her school. Advertisement She said students are excited to explore the English Corner, and teachers are eager to improve their own English proficiency. SK Rosob headmaster Saidi Alliudin said the programme has created a supportive environment that encourages pupils to speak, read and grow in English with confidence. At SK Bawing, headmaster Abd Khar @ Ramlie Akal described the project as a significant step towards nurturing a reading culture and laying the foundation for lifelong learning. RCKK Pearl Vice President Adelina Adna said the aim of the programme is to open doors not just to books but to possibilities. 'We are grateful to the department and LDS Charities for making this possible. With their support, we can continue planting seeds of learning where they are most needed,' she said. Each of the three schools received between 430 and 650 English books, along with English Malay dictionaries for every Primary 4 to 6 student, based on enrolment size. At SK Rosob, 650 books and 340 dictionaries were distributed for 331 pupils. SK Bangkau Bangkau received 520 books and 110 dictionaries for its 106 pupils. SK Bawing received 430 books and 60 dictionaries for its 56 pupils. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
10-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Rotary's mangrove initiative lauded
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: Jeremy S Zabala Text Size: Sabin with Chenderamata, Jeanette and others during the Project Kelip-Kelip to Restore Mangroves and Firefly Habitats in Kampung Darau. Kota Kinabalu: Private sectors, education institutions and non-governmental bodies are urged to continuously provide their support as well as play their roles in implementing projects that would help highlight the city's natural beauty that could boom into eco-tourism attraction. Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah said there are non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have gone great lengths to collaborate with other agencies to plan and carry out projects that focused on ecosystem rehabilitation but also establishing a foundation for eco-tourism. Advertisement He cited the initiative by Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl (RCKK Pearl) in collaborating with the Kampung Darau community and other strategic partners to conserve the Sungai Darau ecological environment. 'As a city known for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity, Kota Kinabalu is in dire need of such initiatives so the balance between development and sustainability can be sustainably maintained. 'This project basically focuses on restoring the mangrove ecosystem through the planting of more than 6,000 saplings, in addition to introducing a firefly conservation program based on scientific studies and field research by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). 'What is even more impressive is the holistic approach taken, in which elements of education, community awareness, regenerative tourism and youth involvement are also made the main core,' he said at the launching of Kelip-Kelip Project to Restore Mangroves and Firefly Habitats in Kampung Darau, here, last Sunday. Also present were RCKK Pearl President Chenderamata Sinteh, RCKK Pearl Vice President Datin Dr Jeanette Tambakau, Immediate Past President Rosie Chong and Former President Datuk Eliza Goh, among others. Through such project, he said positive impact will not only affect the physical area of Darau Wetland but also enrich minds of the local community as well as visitors regarding the values and function of nature. He added that the project is the best example of how a conservation initiative can be a catalyst for social and economic innovation, thus forming a sustainable ecosystem that reinforces each other between nature and people. 'I am also appreciative towards the community development approach practiced here, in which Koperasi Darau Berhad and Darau Wetland Eco-Tourism have played vital role in ensuring that the benefits of this project can be enjoyed by locals directly and in the long term,' he added. Sabin also expressed his gratitude to parties that have showed commitment and played vital roles in the project in which he said would be possible due to the collaboration of various organisations, even from overseas, that have joined hands to make the programme a success. He said such collaboration highlights the spirit of cross-border solidarity that should be promoted continuously to face the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. 'Collaboration with UMS as the research leader, financial support from the Rotary Clubs of Malaysia Foundation, active involvement of Rotary members from abroad such as RC Makati Emerald, RC Metro KL, RC Kulai Johor and RC Taichung Hui Min from Taiwan, clearly proves that the environmental conservation agenda is not only local, but also global. 'This project is also aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as action on climate change, conservation of aquatic and terrestrial life, and development of inclusive and sustainable communities. 'With a total funding target of RM69,275, I believe the social, environmental and economic returns from this project far outweigh its financial value,' he added. Project Kelip-Kelip at Kg Darau Laut, Manggatal, is an eco-tourism and conservation initiative to restore mangrove ecosystems, firefly habitats and promote sustainable eco-tourism in Sabah which was carried out organised by the RCKK Pearl. Meanwhile, Chenderamata said the project included planting of some 6,000 mangrove trees, launching of the 'Let's Make Them Glow Again' firefly rehabilitation initiative, scenic boat rides along Darau River, eco workshops by UMS and local experts. As a continuation of a project in 2017 and 2018, she said the planting of trees were carried out together with the Darau community aimed to make the area into a community-based ecotourism spot which have been realised. With the existing facilities, she also said visitors will be able to experience scenic view through boat rides along the river which shows the natural beauty that could be found in the city itself. 'We (RCKK Pearl) have started the project (of mangrove planting) 2017 and 2018 which will further solidify through this year's collaboration with the Darau community by planting more mangrove trees. 'Following discussions with the village chief and Darau Co-operative members, we have been informed that UMS are currently carrying out research on 'kelip-kelip' (firefly) conservation and habitat rehabilitation in this area. 'We have also agreed to collaborate in this conservation programme as the ecosystem in this area is suitable for the rehabilitation of fireflies,' she added. Chenderamata also expressed gratitude to collaborators and supporters for the programme. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
