Underprivileged students attend UPSR camp

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 187 underprivileged Year Six pupils learned new techniques and tips to prepare for Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) at a threeday motivation camp here.

Eco World Foundation organised the camp under its Students Aid Programme. The camp, which is the fourth of six similar programmes, was held at Sri Petaling Hotel. It gathered pupils and teachers from 40 schools, 39 of which were in the Klang Valley and one based in Pekan, Pahang.

Eco World Foundation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the main objective of the foundation’s Students Aid Programme was to ensure that underprivileged pupils would not be left out from receiving the assistance that they need in getting an education.

“No one should be denied an education, especially not because of poverty.”

Lee said the foundation would assist all underprivileged pupils who are qualified without looking at their backgrounds.

Lee said the foundation had allocated RM84,000 for the camp to ensure pupils will be comfortable throughout their stay there.

Eco World Foundation chose to assist 907 pupils from primary schools in the Klang Valley. If qualified, they would be helped throughout their primary, secondary and even tertiary education.

The teachers who had been with the pupils throughout the three-day camp came from the 40 schools to help facilitate the pupils.

Two teachers from SJK(C) Kwong Hon, Lim Ming Hui, 25, and Chan Soot Feng, 38, brought four students to join the camp.

“This camp is helpful as the pupils get to bring back new tips to be shared with their friends in school,” Lim said.

Chan said some of the invited speakers had received excellence awards. “We had faith in them and they taught the pupils well in preparation for the UPSR,” Chan added.

Nur Ellysa Umayra Mohamad Arifen from SJK(C) Sin Ming said that she had the most fun during the sports activities conducted there.

“I have gained a lot in terms of mental preparation and I am now ready to sit for the UPSR,” she said.

Tizyah Sivarajan from SJK(T) Ladang Semenyih said she has now gained more confidence to sit for the UPSR. She was chosen as the best pupil for the SJK(T) category.

“The lessons taught by the speakers were understandable and I enjoyed my time here.

“I picked up new techniques and tips to study for the UPSR from the teachers,” she said, adding that the comfortable environment allowed her to relax while studying.

The pupils were presented with certificates by Lee at the camp’s closing ceremony.

Also present at the ceremony were Eco World Foundation trustee Philip Mathews and Eco World Foundation chief executive officer Capt (Rtd) Datuk Liew Siong Sing.