Hold regular discussions with teachers, parents told
BETONG: Parents in the rural areas have been urged to hold regular discussions with teachers and school board members in efforts to improve their children’s academic performance.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said besides formal meetings, gatherings like fundraising dinners and annual sports day offered good platform for such purpose.
He said this when officiating at a dinner organised by the ParentTeacher Association of St. John’s Primary School here on Friday.
He added everyone must work together to find solution to problems which have or are hampering the students’ progress towards achieving academic excellence.
“We must be united in this effort as we want our Dayak students in rural areas to be just as good academically as their urban counterparts.
“If they are already good we want them to stand up and be counted as among the best,” he said.
Uggah who is Bukit Saban assemblyman said he, Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap and Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat would offer whatever assistance necessary to help in this effort.
According to him, another area which should be given special attention and emphasis was to ensure rural students can speak and write very good English.
“They must do very well in English not only to pass their examinations but to strengthen their marketability in the job market later,” he stressed.
In connection with this, he approved a grant of RM5,000 to buy more English textbooks and workbooks for the school library.
He also advised teachers to organise regular English speaking, writing and reading competitions among the students.
On the problem of no Internet connectivity in the area, Uggah who is the Minister of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development said he would bring up the matter to the relevant authority.
“When we have the connectivity later I hope it will not be abused to spread slanders and accusations,” he said.
At the same event, Uggah also approved a grant of RM20,000 for the school PTA to finance its various activities next year.
The school too had, early in the year, received a grant of RM300,000 from him.
A political secretary to the chief minister Dr Richard Rapo was among those present.