THOUGH living far in the depths of rural Malaysia, primary school pupils excitedly open boxes containing fun science and arts activities, which have been specifically designed to keep them captivated and interested in learning.
These “Learning Boxes” were sent by Teach for Malaysia (TFM) in collaboration with Yayasan Hartalega to prevent the children, who faced school closures like their counterparts across the country when the movement control order (MCO) began in March, from falling behind in their studies.
Even though online classes took the place of face-to-face classes, these pupils were unable to benefit from the lessons as their small villages did not have stable Internet connection and owning devices were beyond their means.
“The ‘Learning Box’ was designed to reach students in rural communities and schools to provide them with exciting and fun learning resources that can keep them engaged and allow them to learn at home.
“The kit includes various science and arts themed activities designed to spark curiosity and fun in the way students learn so that they will stay engaged with their lessons even when they are not in school, ” said TFM head of special projects Loh Ken Ming.
The boxes were created with the help of hands-on subscription box provider Atom & the Dot and Project ID, a TFM alumni organisation.
“These boxes contain materials and a guidebook for students to do the activities at home with minimal parental or teacher guidance, ” he said.
The guidebook, he added, includes comics that explain scientific concepts and reflective questions for students after they complete the activities.
The activities also come with bilingual instructions to ensure that every student is able to effectively use the learning aid.
Teachers and community members have also been roped in to facilitate and guide the pupils, and continuously improve the contents of the boxes.
To date, pupils in Lawas (Sarawak), Semporna (Sabah) and Gopeng (Perak) have been receiving the boxes.
It has been challenging but exciting for the team to get these to the students, said Loh.
“Delivery would not have been possible without the collaboration and commitment of the district education offices as well as the teachers in these schools.
“We’ve put boxes on four-wheel drives and boats, and even had to waterproof the materials inside to account for rain.
“We also had to budget for additional cost on top of the postage fees for teachers to transport these boxes back to their villages.
“Even with the conditional MCO in Semporna, we have boxes arriving and are figuring out ways for teachers to get these learning resources to their students, ” he added.
TFM chief executive officer Chan Soon Seng said it is important to invest in educational recovery to minimise the long-term effects of the pandemic.
“As the ‘Learning Box’ project can be completed by students without having to rely on Internet connectivity, we are able to reach a wide range of students from rural communities to ensure that education continues to remain accessible to each student regardless of their circumstances, ” said Hartalega in a statement.
Teachers and pupils have enjoyed using the learning boxes.
Leoforster Ruben Anak Upom, a teacher at SK Ba Kelalan said students could create, learn and have fun throughout the activity using the materials provided.
He added that the box also incorporates science experiments while emphasising learning of the English language.
Commenting on the practicality of the boxes, SK Long Sukang, Lawas, teacher Mohammad Nazmi Rosli said the simple and easy to understand activities are ideal for rural pupils.
The pupils particularly enjoyed learning practical measures to stay safe in light of the pandemic via fun activities in the ‘Learning Box’, he said.
TFM and Yayasan Hartalega aims to distribute 3,000 Learning Boxes to 500 pupils between the ages of eight to 11 years old over the course of six months.
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