STM Lottery Sdn Bhd has restarted its Sports Toto “Reading My Companion” programme to donate storybooks to the pupils of 11 rural Chinese schools in Peninsular Malaysia.
Under the 2022 edition of the programme, storybooks will be donated to schools in Perak, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor, benefitting 1,586 pupils.
STM Lottery senior communications manager Giam Say Khoon said the programme, which was temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was aimed at inculcating the reading habit in rural students who are relatively lacking in terms of recreational activities.
The participating schools are SJK(C) Kampung Jering, Ayer Tawar, SJK(C) Khuen Hean, Changkat Kruing (Perak); SJK(C) Gambang, Kuantan, SJK(C) Jerik, Bandar Pusat Jengka, SJK(C) Maran, Maran, (Pahang); SJK(C) Chung Hua Ladang Geddes, Jempol, SJK(C) Middleton, Bahau (Negri Sembilan); SJK(C) Chung Kuo, Jalan Tengkera; SJK(C) Yu Hsien, Jasin (Melaka); SJK(C) Aik Ming, Muar and SJK(C) Chi Sin, Parit Bakar (Johor)
A team of staff volunteers visited the schools to present storybooks to the pupils as well as the school libraries.
Storytelling sessions will be held in these schools to teach the pupils how to enjoy creative reading.
The schools will also play an active role in driving book exchange activities among pupils, thus encouraging them to share stories in class and pen down their post-reading thoughts in journals.
The programme has so far benefitted more than 15,000 pupils in 143 suburban schools in Selangor, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang and Johor.
