Latest news with #ProjectREAL
Borneo Post
26-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Rotary Club launches English Corner at SMK Benoni to promote literacy and lifelong learning
From left to right: Datin Phyllis Lo, Soo Yuen Mee, Datuk Eliza Goh, Tulip Noorazyze, Tuan Hi Ikhbal Khan Ismail, Datin Dr Jeanette Tambakau, Chendramata Sinteh, Datin Rocy Chong, Caroline Paxton and Dr Julia Ongkili at the English Corner. PAPAR (July 26): In a collaborative effort to enhance English literacy among students, the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl officially launched the SMK Benoni English Corner on Friday, marking another milestone under its flagship initiative — Project REAL (Rural-Focused English for All). The launch was graced by Club President Datin Dr Jeanette Tambakau, who commended SMK Benoni principal Tuan Haji Ikhbal Khan for his visionary initiative in establishing the English Corner. 'Setting up the English Corner is truly an inspired idea from Ikhbal. We applaud his commitment to cultivating the reading habit and improving English proficiency among students,' said Jeanette. To support the initiative, the Club donated over 500 English storybooks and 350 bilingual dictionaries — a gesture of appreciation to Ikhbal for his past contributions to Project REAL during his tenure as deputy director of the Language Unit in the Sabah State Education Department. While Project REAL initially targeted primary schools in rural areas, the Club is excited to see the concept extended to secondary schools. 'Learning, developing and mastering a language is a lifelong journey. We're encouraged by SMK Benoni's proactive approach in continuing this process beyond the primary level,' she added. A heartfelt tribute was paid to Project Chair Rotarian Tulip Zaimi Noorazyze bt Abdul Rahim, who has led the expansion of Project REAL across Sabah with unwavering dedication. 'Tulip has been the heartbeat of this programme—coordinating visits, distributing materials, and working closely with education offices. Her leadership has made a profound impact,' said Jeanette. Tulip is supported by a dedicated REAL Team, comprising Vice President Datuk Eliza Goh, Immediate Past President Hajah Chendramata Hj Sinteh, Datin Phyllis Lo, Caroline Paxton, Dr Julia Ongkili, Datin Rocy Chong and Soo Yuen Mee. 'These ladies have brought their unique strengths to the table and transformed Project REAL into a force for meaningful change in our school communities. We thank them for their service above self,' she added. Founded in 2016 by Datuk Noni Said, Project REAL has grown significantly with the support of the Sabah State Education Department. In just nine years, it has reached 51 schools across 14 districts, including Kota Belud, Papar, Kiulu, Inanam, Tuaran, Kota Marudu, Sipitang, Pitas, Kudat, Tenom, Kuala Penyu, Keningau, Ranau and Beaufort. In addition to English Corners, the program also organises inter-school competitions in poem writing, speech and storytelling, as well as Teachers' Training Workshops to strengthen teaching capacity. SMK Benoni was also invited to consider hosting future activities under the programme. 'Our goal is to empower children with the English language, opening up a vast ocean of knowledge and future opportunities. Reading is one of the most effective ways to master a language — and it's a habit worth nurturing early,' said Jeanette. She concluded her remarks by encouraging students to make full use of the English Corner: 'Dream big, study hard, and be curious. Let this English Corner be your gateway to a brighter tomorrow.' The Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl, now in its 10th year, remains steadfast in its mission to support literacy, youth development, and educational advancement across Sabah.
Daily Express
15-07-2025
- 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
