KOTA KINABALU: The Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl (RCKK Pearl) launched their signature Project REAL (Rural-focused English for All) at four rural elementary schools in Kuala Penyu district on June 14, 2023.
The schools were SK Melikai, SK Berangkok, SK Mansud and SK Menunggang.
The launchings at Kuala Penyu were officiated by RCKK Pearl’s current Club President Datuk
Hjh Aminah Ambrose and guest of honour Tuan Maludin Hj Idris, Penolong Pengarah Sektor
Pengurusan Murid Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Sabah (JPNS), who represented the Director of JPNS, Tuan Raisin bin Saidin.
In attendance were several committee members of RCKK Pearl including Project REAL Chairperson Tulip Noorazyze, Club Past Presidents Datuk Noni Hj Said and Datuk Suzannah Liaw, current Club Public Image Chair Norma Apines, Datin Phyllis Lo, Irene Chan,
Soh Yuen Mee and Julia Ongkili. SISC+ Puan Syadwani binti Okal from Pejabat Pendidikan
Daerah Kuala Penyu was also present, along with the school Principals and English Panels.
The objective of Project REAL was to help bridge the gap in English language proficiency
between rural and urban elementary schools. English is still the most widely applied language globally.
Training these school children to have a much better grasp of the language while still in their formative years will greatly increase their chances in future when pursuing higher learning especially overseas, as well as giving them an edge while job hunting.
The project required the schools involved to create an English Corner space in their library.
RCKK Pearl provides each school the necessary materials such as an LCD projector and screen, 500 English reading materials, English language dictionaries, a roll of linoleum, two
bookshelves and some mini futon stools to ensure that each REAL English Corner was both
comfortable and conducive for the school children to have a great learning experience. The
project also provided training for the school teachers involved that will greatly help them to teach English language in a much more efficient and interesting manner.
RCKK Pearl had worked closely with JPNS in choosing which elementary school to sponsor for this project.
Each school under Project REAL required between RM12,000 to RM15,000 to sponsor.
Funding to provide the materials for the 4 schools in Kuala Penyu were obtained from Rotary Global Grant (GG). RCKK Pearl was able to obtain the GG by partnering with three
international Rotary Clubs, mainly Rotary Club of Taipei and Rotary Club of Taichung
Huimin, both from Taiwan, and the Rotary Club of Yea from Australia.
In her launching speech, Datuk Aminah stressed that while it was a blessing for the schools
chosen to be under Project REAL, the schools must meet the Club halfway by working hard to maintain the project to ensure its success.-pr/BNN
