Rotary education project makes successful debut
KOTA KINABALU: After three months of preparations, since September 2018, the Rotary LIT Showcase 2018, a joint community project undertaken by the Rotary Club of Kinabalu Sutera and the Rotary Club of Likas Bay, finally made its debut at the Mini Putrajaya Auditorium on November 17 amidst much acclaim.
The Rotary LIT Showcase focused on providing advanced literacy education to schoolchildren through which they could improve their communication skills in the English Language, which would then be showcased through stage drama. The objectives of the project were in keeping with the Highly Immersive Programme introduced by the Ministry of Education, which aims to immerse students in an English-speaking environment.
Teachers and students from three selected rural or suburban schools, namely SMK Narinang Kota Belud, SMK Kinarut Papar and SMK Nambayan Keningau, were involved in the project.
Earlier in September 2018, nine teachers from these schools attended a drama class conducted in Kota Kinabalu by professional trainers from the Society of Performing Arts Kota Kinabalu or SPArKS, after which the Rotary Learning Hub was delivered and installed in the selected schools in October 2018.
The teachers in turn created their respective drama groups consisting of students from their schools, and prepared them to showcase their talents during the Rotary LIT Showcase.
In her address to over five hundred people who thronged the Mini Putrajaya Auditorium, guest of honour Jenifer Lasimbang, who is Assistant Minister of Education and Innovation, praised the organisers of the showcase for their concerted effort in bringing the showcase to the stage.
Lasimbang said that she was pleased to see that literary art was being cultivated in the youths today through the guidance and leadership of members of society who aspire to give back to the people, for which she congratulated the host clubs, their presidents Francis Ng and CP Lim, and the Organising Chairs Audrey Koh and Emily Chong for their joint effort in doing so.
She added, “I have always said that when we invest in education, we can never go astray. Education is the only guarantee to changing a person’s life, and all children should be entitled to a sound education so that they can in turn make sound judgements and good choices that will shape their destinies.”
During showtime the students from SMK Nambayan Tambunan, through their drama entitled, “Filtered,” brought to light the riveting truths behind social media, particularly the way people all around the world portray their lives through the screens of their smartphones, which, more often than not, are highly exaggerated.
SMK Narinang Kota Belud’s drama performance entitled “Rainbow” revolved around the beliefs and superstitions that exist all around the world which came into play as six unexpected friends explored the depth of a forest in Kg Melangkap Kota Belud.
SMK Kinarut Papar presented their drama performance entitled “Middlemists Red” which touched on the characteristics of a flower. The drama showcased the impact of gender discrimination in education in two different geographic and socio-economic settings.
It reminded the audience of the varying degrees of educational inequity that exist in many parts of the world.
There were poignant lessons to be learnt from all the drama performances. At the very least, they served as reminders that more can be done in our society to address significant social issues that exist therein.
In between the performances, the students from the three schools showcased their talents through singing, dancing, poetry reading and playing musical instruments, which delighted and amazed the audience.
Present at the showcase were Past District Governor Edward Sung Burongoh who is the Chairman of the Kota Kinabalu Rotary Institute, Past District Governor Philip Chong who is a board member of the Yayasan Kelab-Kelab Rotary Malaysia and Co-Advisor to the LIT Showcase, Immediate Past District Governor Datuk Lee Chuen Wan and Past President and Co-Advisor Datuk Gabriel William.
In organising the showcase, the host clubs received much support and many sponsorships from benevolent individuals and parties, including the State Education Department, for which they are grateful for. Following the resounding success of the showcase, and owing to its noble objectives, there is now talk about staging a similar showcase the following year.