SOME boys were fidgety with anticipation, while others sat in silence as dark clippings of hair drifted to the ground.
Nearby, their peers waited in line for a service that is easily taken for granted but carries significant weight in a community where every ringgit counts.
Here, in this simple grooming session, a visible transformation begins for pupils from ten schools in Bachok, Kelantan. What may seem like a small gesture is, in fact, a symbolic entry point into a much larger mission by Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP): improving schools, together with the community.
Recognising the vital role of education and a conducive learning environment, KWAP, under the Sekolah Angkat MADANI initiative, has adopted 10 primary schools in the district to drive a whole-community approach to education and social wellbeing.
The adopted schools include SK Bakong, SK Bekelam, SK Gunong, SK Kandis, SK Keting, SK Kubang Golok, SK Kubang Telaga, SK Kuchelong, SK Pak Badol and SK Sri Kemunting.
Launched in 2025, KWAP’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative is guided by the government’s five pillars of Sekolah Angkat MADANI, which focus on education excellence, community engagement, infrastructure development, student wellbeing, and teacher capacity building.
KWAP has allocated RM1.13mil to the programme, benefiting nearly 4,500 students and teachers by supporting more conducive teaching and learning environments.
Upgrades include computer laboratories, libraries, and teachers’ meeting rooms, alongside the installation of smart classroom equipment and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning tools such as 3D printers and robotics kits.
These enhancements aim to spark early interest in STEM among pupils, while helping to narrow the gap between rural classrooms and emerging technologies.
The schools also received 30 smart televisions and 40 air-conditioning units, creating more comfortable and conducive learning environments.
In addition, sporting equipment was provided, giving pupils in some schools access to activities such as archery, bowling, and softball.
Physical surroundings were refreshed with the help of nearly 100 KWAP employees, who joined parents and teachers in gotong-royong activities to repaint walls, create vibrant murals, and contribute to a fresher, greener school environment.
A football tournament was also held at SK Kandis for the 10 adopted schools to foster camaraderie, encourage healthy lifestyles, and strengthen bonds among pupils across the district.
Part of KWAP’s allocation also helped ease financial pressures on families through the distribution of 2,000 back-to-school packs and 250 school uniform vouchers.
Through the MyPesara Prihatin programme, about 700 packs of essential goods were also provided to local pensioners and B40 families, helping strengthen the wider support system surrounding each child.
To ensure long-term impact, KWAP also collaborates with non-governmental organisations to provide teacher upskilling and professional development, while Parent-Teacher Associations help coordinate activities involving parents, schools, and the wider community.
Other activities include motivational sessions, academic support programmes, and engagement sessions with parents and local residents, supporting the broader objectives of the Sekolah Angkat MADANI initiative.
Fully supported by the Education Ministry, Kelantan Education Department, and the Bachok District Education Office, as well as agencies such as the Public Works Department, Pejabat Tanah dan Jajahan Bachok, and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, the initiative reflects a coordinated effort to strengthen education and uplift communities.
Since 2025, KWAP’s Sekolah Angkat MADANI programme in Bachok demonstrates how sustained investment in education, teachers, families, and communities can help nurture future generations while empowering the wider community that supports them.
