LEARNING, play and collaboration are set to be taken up a notch at a primary school in Gerik, Perak.
With the recent launch of a Learning Hub, pupils at SK RPS Banun, who are part of the local Orang Asli community, now have a multifunctional space with distinct zones dedicated to each of these elements.
Aimed at improving education for the Orang Asli community, the initiative – by Taylor’s College in partnership with the school – is part of ongoing efforts to enhance access to education in underserved communities.
The idea for the Learning Hub was sparked by four pupils who saw the potential to transform an underutilised area of the school into a functional, community-serving space.
Designed as a space to study, learn, and engage in structured and collaborative activities, it will not only benefit the pupils but also parents and the surrounding Orang Asli villages.
The hub was made possible with the RM20,000 prize won by educator Shawn Stanly Anthony Dass, who was named the winner of Taylor’s College RISE Educator Award 2024 earlier this year.
Shawn Stanly said the Learning Hub was born from both necessity and the creativity and determination of pupils.
“It’s a place where pupils can learn, grow, and connect with their community.
“Thanks to the RM20,000 funding and support from Taylor’s College, along with the invaluable guidance of my mentor, Nur Syazadiyanah Suraini, the vision has become a reality.
“This is just the beginning, but it’s an important step in helping our pupils overcome the challenges they face,” said Shawn Stanly, who also won RM5,000 as part of his award.
Blending modern educational functionality with cultural heritage, the hub was created with input from a focus group of 16 participants, including parents, and built by the community themselves using upcycled materials.
The three distinct zones were designed to meet specific educational needs while allowing flexibility for diverse 21st-century teaching methods.
Interactive wall panels, a mural painted by pupils, and areas for exploration, technology, quiet study, leisure and edutainment encourage curiosity, creativity and collaboration, reflecting the community’s collective effort to foster a vibrant, culturally enriched learning environment.
Education Ministry Education Resources deputy director Fadzliaton Zainudin, who attended the hub’s launch, praised the partnership, highlighting its alignment with the “Sekolah Milik Masyarakat” concept, which benefits pupils, parents and the wider community.
Noting that education is the foundation of lifelong success, Taylor’s College campus director Josephine Tan said the Learning Hub exemplifies how education can drive meaningful change, transforming Malaysia’s educational landscape.
She also emphasised the role of the RISE Educator Award in recognising educators like Shawn Stanly, who inspire positive change in their communities.
Teach For Malaysia Training and Leadership head Sarah Lasung commended the partnership and Shawn Stanly’s dedication to inspiring and uplifting others, encouraging support for future generations of learners.
SK RPS Banun headmaster Mohd Zamarol Ahmad expressed his gratitude, stating that the Learning Hub brings opportunities closer to pupils, helping them overcome challenges.
He also thanked Taylor’s College for its support, including the RM20,000 funding and projectors, which will enhance teaching resources.
At the RISE Educator Award 2024 ceremony, the other four finalists received RM1,000 each, with an additional RM10,000 allocated to their schools to enhance facilities or infrastructure, supporting a conducive environment for quality education.
For more information on the RISE Educator Award, visit college.taylors.edu.my/en/the-risers/rise-educator-award-2024.
