Latest news with #SekolahAngkatMadani
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Fadhlina: Education access must go beyond just physical infrastructure
PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry is actively working to ensure that access to education reaches every student, particularly those in rural and remote areas, said its minister Fadhlina Sidek. In her keynote address at the launch of the Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative today, Fadhlina said the effort should not be viewed solely from the perspective of infrastructure provision, but must instead take into account educational needs in a holistic manner. She also said that the ministry recognises the significant challenges many children face at home, including food insecurity, which makes the role of schools even more crucial in shaping their futures. "There are children who return home without the certainty of having a proper meal. "These are the realities we face, and they remind us that schools must not only be seen in terms of infrastructure, but also as holistic spaces for the development of our children," she said. Present at the launch of the initiative were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Fadhlina added that the ministry is exploring various innovative approaches, including the implementation of floating schools, specifically to provide access to education for children in areas such as Tasik Banding, Perak. She also said that some students in these areas are unable to attend school due to geographical challenges and the high cost of transportation. As such, she said the ministry's priority remains bridging the education gap, ensuring that no child is left behind, regardless of geographical or socioeconomic barriers. "The cost of getting to school can reach up to RM30 a day for a single student. "This situation places a heavy burden on families and causes some children to drop out. If they are unable to come to school, then we must bring the school to them," she said. Fadhlina added that the initiative is part of the ministry's new approach to ensuring more inclusive access to education that reflects the actual needs of local communities. "We are identifying the best model and require the support of all parties to ensure the programme can be implemented effectively," she said. She also said education should be seen as more than just physical infrastructure and should be regarded as a comprehensive support system for student development, encompassing welfare, character building and personal growth. "We are not just building schools. We are building the future of these children, and that is what truly matters," she said.
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Yayasan Sime Darby to support school under Madani initiative with four-pronged focus
PUTRAJAYA: Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) is committed to uplifting education for underprivileged students through its participation in the government's Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative, with efforts anchored on four key areas. Its chief executive officer Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin said the four focus areas include improving school infrastructure and basic facilities; providing professional development for teachers; offering academic guidance for students; and nurturing character and leadership qualities among students. "This is about more than just facilities. It is also about empowering teachers to transform their schools, helping students excel academically, and fostering their leadership skills," she said after the launch of the initiative today. She said 31 schools across 11 states have been adopted under YSD, benefiting around 16,000 students, most of whom come from B40 communities in rural and remote areas. "We are proud to be part of the Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative. "The majority of these schools are located in remote areas, involving Orang Asli schools, Chinese and Tamil primary schools (SJKC and SJKT), and other underserved communities," she said. Yatela said YSD would collaborate with each school to identify its key needs, whether upgrading facilities or offering character development opportunities that students might miss without external assistance. She also said the schools are spread across the country, covering 11 states — including Kedah, Perak, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor, with Selangor having the largest number. She added that the initiative reflects meaningful synergy between government agencies, government-linked companies, corporate partners, non-governmental organisations, and local communities. "This collaboration is valuable because it brings together resources not just from corporate organisations like us, but also from NGOs who can assist in developing students' character and supporting the professional development of teachers to become agents of change," she said. She also expressed hope that the collective effort from all stakeholders would create lasting, positive impacts on both the schools and their surrounding communities. "God willing, with this support system, we can help these students and schools thrive," she said.
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Nearly 900 schools join govt's Sekolah Angkat Madani programme to bridge education gap
KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly 900 schools nationwide have joined the government's Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative, also known as Samadani, aimed at narrowing the education gap and supporting underserved communities. The programme, introduced under the Madani Economy framework, is on track to meet its target of 1,000 participating schools by the year-end. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the initiative reflects the government's determination to ensure that no child is left behind, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas. "This initiative builds on the success of Kampung Angkat Madani and Santuni Madani, which demonstrated that direct, collaborative efforts are effective in helping those most in need. "With Samadani, the effort is being taken a step further by involving schools in need as part of the broader Madani agenda", he said after the launch today, adding that they hoped to meet the 1,000 schools target by October. He said nearly 300 of the participating schools are in Sarawak, Sabah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis — states identified as requiring additional support. The programme focuses on five core areas: upgrading school infrastructure, strengthening academic and student support, enhancing teacher development, providing financial aid and scholarships, and fostering student character and soft skills. Shamsul said the programme's success was made possible through the support of more than 80 participating organisations, including: - 29 government ministries (including the Prime Minister's Department) - 29 government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs) - 27 Minister of Finance Incorporated (MoF Inc.) companies — such as Amanah Raya, Bank Rakyat and BSN, and; - 32 private sector partners, including 99 Speed Mart, Maxis and Dialog. "This is not a one-off contribution but a strategic partnership designed to bring lasting impact to schools and communities," he said. Shamsul also highlighted existing corporate initiatives that complement the programme including Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) Foundation's tuition programme, which recorded 95 per cent student attendance and 92 per cent academic improvement; and the Petronas Foundation's Duta Guru programme, which aims to train over 4,500 Stem teachers, with more than 1,300 already involved. The other corporate initiatives also include Yayasan Sime Darby's support for SK Abaka in Tawau, Sabah, following a fire; and TM Foundation's Future Skills programme, which has certified more than 10,000 students and 1,000 teachers in fields such as robotics and data analytics. He said these corporations are not just involved in repairing infrastructure but also in talent building, such as by introducing subjects such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation. The first phase of Samadani runs until Dec 31. Shamsul said the response so far has been very encouraging, and the government hopes to see more companies come forward to support the national movement. "This is not just an investment in education — it is an investment in Malaysia's future leaders and innovators."
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Yayasan Petronas adopts 50 schools under Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative
PUTRAJAYA: Yayasan Petronas has adopted 50 schools nationwide in the government's Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative, with a key focus on enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Its chief executive officer, Nelly Francis, said the foundation's involvement is centred on schools that currently participate in its Duta Guru Programme (PDG), a long-term initiative aimed at strengthening STEM teaching and learning. "Under this initiative, we have selected 50 schools out of the 1,000 nationwide that are already involved in our PDG. "These schools were chosen based on specific criteria, including their active participation in our existing programmes," she told reporters when met after the launch of the initiative today. The launch was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. Nelly said priority was given to schools located in rural areas, with the majority of them in Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu and Johor, as well as several schools in Kedah, Perak and Kelantan. As part of the support, she said teachers from the selected schools will undergo a two-year professional development programme designed to equip them with skills to cultivate students' interest in STEM and guide them towards pursuing careers in the field. "It is not just about improving the teaching environment, but also inspiring students to view STEM as a viable and exciting career path," she said. Apart from empowering teachers, Yayasan Petronas also runs programmes for students under the Student Innovation Centre, provides contributions to improve school science laboratories, and develops STEM hubs in six regions. "We have completed STEM hubs in Tanjung Garam, Kuala Terengganu and Miri, Sarawak, while new hubs in Sabah, Johor, Melaka and Perak are currently under construction," she said. Nelly said these STEM hubs serve as platforms for teachers to further refine and apply the skills gained through PDG, as well as collaborate with other educators in their districts to enrich classroom learning. "All students in the adopted schools will be involved, particularly those who are pursuing STEM-related subjects," she said. Nelly reaffirmed that advancing STEM education remains one of Yayasan Petronas' core missions. "Right now, one of our key targets is to increase students' participation in STEM. We believe through sustained collaboration with teachers and schools, we can help shape the future of Malaysia's STEM talents," she said.
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
PM: Sekolah Angkat Madani goes beyond mere CSR
PUTRAJAYA: The public-private collaboration under the Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative goes beyond conventional corporate social responsibility (CSR), but reflects a deeper commitment to compassion and nation-building. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the initiative, joined by four government-linked investment companies (GLICs), namely Yayasan Sime Darby, Yayasan Petronas, Yayasan UEM and Yayasan TM, aims to uplift educational opportunities for underserved communities. The initiative, he said, reflects a shared commitment among various stakeholders towards advancing a more inclusive and compassionate national agenda, as corporations, civil servants and local communities join forces to strengthen education in selected schools across the country. "This collaboration goes beyond CSR. We are talking about compassion when they take on the responsibility to build this nation together and ensure that no one is left behind. "There is no point in talking purely about impressive growth and investment figures if we choose to neglect the poor and the marginalised. "We want to see large companies going to schools, engaging with students, introducing themselves, and inspiring these young minds with the meaning of success and how education can change their lives. "This, to me, is a remarkable feat, and could only happen with the full support of ministries, particularly the Education Ministry, the Public Service Department and our committed teachers," he said in his keynote address during the launch of the initiative today. Present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. The initiative is a continuation of the government's commitment to driving a whole-of-nation approach to narrow the education gap. The initiative focuses on five core pillars, namely improving school infrastructure and facilities; academic and student mentoring programmes; teacher training and professional development; financial aid and scholarships; as well as character-building and skills development initiatives. To date, around 1,000 schools nationwide have been selected to participate in the programme, with the involvement and support of 32 private companies, 29 government-linked companies (GLCs) and GLICs, 29 government agencies, and 27 companies owned by the Minister of Finance (Incorporated). The initiative is also being implemented in collaboration with the Education Ministry, alongside the Finance Ministry, focusing on addressing fundamental school needs such as toilet repairs, provision of science labs, academic mentoring, and student character development. Anwar said the original concept began with Kampung Angkat Madani, which provided funding of up to RM100,000 for each village. The concept was later expanded to schools, following an overwhelming response from corporate and GLC stakeholders, he said. "From the initial 300 schools, we increased the number to 500. Now, we have managed to reach over 1,000 schools, thanks to the encouraging response from many large, responsible companies. "As such, I would like to thank the chief secretary (Shamsul Azri) and the teachers for embracing this initiative. "Teachers have not only accepted it, but are also open and willing to adopt new approaches for the benefit of their students," he said. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, urged corporate leaders who contribute to the initiative to personally visit their adopted schools at least twice a year to motivate and directly engage with the students. "If chief executive officers and general managers come down, introduce themselves, and speak about their company's operations, the children will be inspired. "We want students in rural schools to know that they, too, have the right to dream big," he said. Anwar also acknowledged that educational challenges remain in remote areas, including issues related to basic facilities, student attendance, teacher availability, and infrastructure maintenance. He expressed hope that close cooperation between the government, corporate sector, and communities could be strengthened to ensure no one is left behind in the national education development agenda. "This is the true spirit of Madani. We build the nation not just with investment figures and profits, but with hearts full of responsibility and love for the future of our children."
