Spanish firm seals its commitment to education for the young
IN an effort to improve the command of English among students of Pasir Gudang, Bahru Stainless Sdn Bhd has contributed RM20,000 worth of Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) pullouts to 10 schools in the district.
Its chief executive officer Oswald Wolfe Gomez said that he hoped the initiative would cultivate a reading culture among students in both primary and secondary levels.
“Newspapers provide a great sense of educational value that students can use to not only improve their linguistic skills but also gain insights and information about things around them.
“This contribution is a great opportunity for us to improve the learning and teaching experience for schools in Pasir Gudang,” he said, adding that 90% of the company’s employees have children studying in the schools receiving the contribution.
“Knowing that their company is taking part in ensuring that their children get the best possible learning experience would make them feel proud of working here,” he said.
He also said that by exposing stu- dents to the newspapers at an early age, they would be able to develop critical and analytical skills.
“I think it is crucial for children to be exposed to the newspapers produced by a credible source as this allows them to make their own comparison with questionable information they come across on social media,” he added.
Gomez said when the idea was presented to him, he was more than happy to make the commitment.
On hand to receive the mock cheque was Star Media Group NiE editorial manager Sharon Ovinis.
Schools receiving the sponsorship are SK Kota Masai 1, SK Kota Masai 2, SK Kota Masai 3, SK Cahaya Baru, SK Taman Nusa Damai, SK Taman Pasir Putih, SMK Pasir Putih, SMK Kota Masai 2, SMK Pasir Gudang and SJK(C) Masai.
SMK Pasir Putih principal Wardah Ismail said she was very excited to bring NiE to her students and create new teaching methods with other teachers in the school.
“I would encourage teachers in the school to explore the many creative ways they can use NiE in their lesson plans and we would keep reports of those lesson plans for future reference,” she said.
Meanwhile, SJK(C) Masai teacher Winson Eng Wei Siang said he believes that students would be able to learn so much more in an interactive and fun class setting.
“I have experienced using NiE in a classroom during my practical years and I saw a huge difference between the conventional method of using just a textbook and using NiE. Students just sparkle when I use NiE in class. It is a refreshing and exciting learning experience for them. This method allows them to fully explore their potential and creativity.
“No doubt the class would be noisy and chaotic when I conduct activities using NiE but in spite of that, I know they are learning something and that is what education should be about,” he said.
He added that he would inject more fun during his English Club co-curriculum period with the NiE activities provided in the pullout.
As for SK Kota Masai 3 teacher Ahmad Kanagarajah Perumal, using NiE in the classroom was something that is very close to his heart.
“My teachers used to bring stacks of the NiE pullouts to class when I was in Form Six. I remember being excited as I looked forward to the topics we would be uncovering next,” he said.
For details on the Star-NiE school sponsorship programme, call The Star’s Customer Care Unit at 1 300 88 7827 from Monday to Friday (9am–5pm).