Helping hand: Universiti Malaya graduate Yeoh Seng Raee from the 2015 TFM fellow cohort teaching in a school in Sarawak.
TEACH For Malaysia (TFM) is calling on those passionate about quality education to step up and help empower children in high-need communities through its fellowship programme.
In line with the 12th Malaysia Plan, which emphasises the development of B40 and Orang Asli, TFM partnered with the Education Ministry and placed 27 fellows in eight high-need schools at the Kuala Kangsar and Hulu Perak districts last year.
This marked a significant milestone as this 10th cohort of fellows was the first to be placed in schools consisting primarily of Orang Asal communities and primary schools since TFM ran its first fellowship programme in 2012.This year, the independent, not-for-profit organisation, is aiming to place fellows as co-teachers in high-need communities across underserved regions in Sarawak.
TFM chief executive officer Chan Soon Seng noted that these communities had the highest educational needs, and the past two years had further widened the student attainment gap.
“Focus on equity and learning recovery is essential as children return to school.
“The fellowship programme prioritises student and community empowerment strategies to reduce educational achievement gaps in numeracy, literacy and self-leadership among B40 community students in and out of school at primary and secondary education levels,” he said in a press release.
TFM alumni board president Venessa Sambai Usek said TFM could bring a significant benefit to the education landscape in Sarawak as it had over a decade of experience bringing best education practices to national schools all over Malaysia.
“Fellows are selected through a rigorous process and trained by subject-matter experts, allowing them to support schoolteachers better.
“Young Sarawakians passionate about serving their communities should take this opportunity to develop their leadership skills and expand their horizons through this highly recognised leadership development programme.”Fellows are employed by TFM and will be placed in schools for two years to collaborate with teachers in helping to enhance the classroom environment for students with varying learning capabilities.
They will also partner with their respective schools and communities to implement after-school programmes and community-engagement initiatives to address the school-wide and community educational needs.
To apply for the TFM fellowship, submit your application (teachformalaysia.org/apply-fellowship/) by Feb 13.
