Timely boost for Orang Asli school

Before : The Edureach Project saw the team from UKM creating more conducive learning spaces for SK Iskandar pupils.

THANKS to a group of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia postgraduate students, children of the Orang Asli community in Bera, Pahang, are enjoying a more conducive learning environment.

Under the Edureach Project, 10 MBA students from the varsity’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) embarked on a mission to empower young minds through digital education at SK Iskandar, Pos Iskandar. Most of the school’s pupils are from the Semelai tribe.

“It is important that education is inclusive and accessible to these young talents as they could play a vital role in nation-building,” the team said in a press release.

The project, which included enhancing the school library, upgrading the digital education facility, and introducing creative learning, was launched by Bera MP Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Feb 24, and supported by some 250 participants from the Orang Asli community, sponsors and non-governmental organisations.

Besides transforming the audiovisual room into a multipurpose digital education room where digital learning and edutainment activities can be carried out, the team presented some 5,000 new books and 220 stationery sets to the school.

The team also visited Kampung Benau, the oldest Orang Asli village in Pahang.

After : The Edureach Project saw the team from UKM creating more conducive learning spaces for SK Iskandar pupils.

With only three families residing there, the villagers face challenges but are committed to ensuring that their children receive proper education despite the lack of nearby facilities.

“We were deeply moved by the story of a Form Two student who travels daily to SK Iskandar school by sampan, departing at 5am.

“The boy’s mother shared that travelling by road was not safe because of bears in the area,” the team said, while pledging to continue engaging with the Pos Iskandar community to ensure the sustainability of the initiatives carried out.

“Despite the village’s limited resources, the hospitality and kindness we encountered left a lasting impression on us. While they may lack material wealth, their generosity of spirit enriches their community,” the team added.