By Mu Vitet
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.
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.
