Incentive scheme for more schools in Kota Marudu
KOTA MARUDU: An incentive introduced four years ago by the Kota Marudu member of parliament to recognise Year Six pupils’ excellence performance in education is now extended to their seniors.
Dubbed the Skor A UPSR (Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah), the incentive scheme which offers RM100 for each A scored, will now be enjoyed also by the six secondary schools in the district.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili in sharing the good news yesterday, also said the scheme will also include schools in rural and urban areas in Kota Marudu.
“Education is an important mechanism and the best asset for our children’s future. It is a ticket out of poverty and a magic tool for economic prosperity.
“Therefore giving out incentives is important, especially to recognise one’s hard work. Besides, there’s nothing wrong to invest in excellence,” he said at the Skor A UPSR incentive presentation at the Kota Marudu community hall here.
As such, he said to mark the scheme’s fifth year, the RM100 for each A scheme, which was formerly only offered to rural primary schools here is now extended to Year Six pupils in the district’s urban schools as well. There are 33 primary schools in Kota Marudu.
“Pupils must at least score 3As in UPSR in order to be eligible for the scheme,” the Kota Marudu MP explained.
In addition, beginning this year, a similar scheme will also be offered to secondary school students in the effort to motivate them to perform well in their Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (PMR), Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Persekolahan Tinggi Malaysia (STPM) examinations.
“For PMR and SPM, students must score a minimum of 5As in order to qualify for the scheme, where for each A scored, recipients will receive RM100 and RM200, respectively.
“While a RM200 will be given for each A scored in STPM, provided the recipients score a minimum of 3As,” he said.
Maximus also announced that the MAJORA Education Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that focuses on youth’s knowledge development, will be introducing the gold medals for top three best scorers in both SPM and STPM in the district.
“Under the programme, SPM’s top scorer in Kota Marudu will receive RM3,000, followed by RM2,500 and RM1,500 for the second and third best scorers.
“Similarly, Kota Marudu’s STPM top three best achievers will also be recognised where the first spot will take home RM4,000, while the first and second runners-up will receive RM3,000 and RM2,000 respectively.
“We hope that these incentives will not only motivate the students to excel in education, but also to lighten their burden should they choose to pursue their education to higher levels,” he said.
At the event, Maximus disbursed a total of RM13,300 to 31 pupils from 12 rural schools here for their excellent performance in last year’s UPSR, where seven scored straight As in all six subjects, five pupils scored 5As, nine (4As) and the remaining 10 scored the minimum 3As.
He also handed out RM50,000 in grant to 43 Parents-Teachers Associations to fund their students motivational programmes and activities.
Maximus, meanwhile, encouraged parents to work closely with their children’s teachers, adding that with the right guidance and support, coupled with good learning environment, rural pupils can also excel in their studies.