Equipping teachers with digital skills

The Star

3 days ago

(From left) Chak, Razif, Aarti, Idham, Amirudin,Saipolyazan, Wan Raisuha, Saranovic and Muhammad Nuri at the digital training workshop. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Shah Alam workshop sees 53 educators benefitting from public-private partnership
A TOTAL of 53 teachers attended the Advancing Future Skills for All (FS4A) Selangor Scale Up digital training initiative.
The one-day workshop was also attended by district Education Department officers and school principals.
Armed with the skills, the educators will, in turn, train 40 teachers and 80 students in 40 schools from this July to August.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who launched the initiative, said the workshop reflected aims for a more inclusive and progressive state.
'Our state is keen to future-proof its next generation, by equipping students with essential digital skills needed to keep pace with rapid global development.
'FS4A aligns with the aspirations planned out in the 'Rancangan Struktur Negeri Selangor 2035' (Selangor Structure Plan) that covers the state's strategic direction,' he said in his opening speech at the event held at Arena@CelcomDigi in Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Shah Alam.
The FS4A programme is a collaboration between Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Google, Unicef Malaysia, CelcomDigi and Arus Academy, with support from Education Ministry.
Amirudin said this programme was a brilliant example of what a public-private partnership could achieve.
'We have Google and CelcomDigi committed to our communities, and to ensuring every Malaysian child gets vital digital skills.
'Then, we have MDEC, Unicef and the Education Ministry, all sharing a powerful vision of empowering our children for the jobs of tomorrow.
'We also have Arus, an experienced education enterprise,' he said, expressing certainty that the project would propel youths into a better future.
'The public sector alone cannot do all the work to raise our children to be future ready. It is the work and responsibility of us all, and that includes the teachers, the corporates and of course, civil society,' he added.
Amirudin stressed that the goal was for Selangor to set the benchmark for digital learning.
He said the FS4A was aimed at cultivating a spirit of lifelong learning and self-reliance in youths.
'It is our responsibility to ensure every student is prepared for the challenges and opportunities that will shape their lives, and communities,' he added.
SK Telok Gong evening senior assistant Georgia Helen Daniel Siken said FS4A would enhance digital literacy skills among students and teachers.
SMK Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh Technical and Vocational Department head Norfazilah Othman said equipping students with digital literacy was crucial.
CelcomDigi chief executive Datuk Idham Nawawi said, 'By empowering educators and students with vital digital skills, and ensuring equitable access to technology and opportunities, through strong partnerships, we will continue to drive digital inclusion across the nation, building a vibrant digital ecosystem empowering every Malaysian.'
Also present were Arus Academy co-founder David Chak, Razif Abdul Aziz from MDEC, Google public affairs manager Aarti Ahuja, Selangor Mentri Besar Incorporated group chief executive officer Datuk Saipolyazan Mat Yusop, Education Ministry Education Policy Planning and Research Division deputy director Dr Wan Raisuha Wan Ali, Unicef Malaysia deputy representative Sanja Saranovic and Selangor Education Department senior assistant director Mohammad Nuri Hussin.