Greater learning for students

Rural and minority schools urged to reap benefits of Trust scheme

JOHOR BARU: The Education Ministry is encouraging more minority and rural schools to get involved in the Trust School Programme to allow more students the opportunity for positive changes in their studies.

Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon said the Government was hopeful about expanding the programme to involve more schools to realise its target to have 700 trust schools nationwide by 2025.

“We hope to see the programme in community schools, vernacular schools, under-enrolled schools, orang asli schools and schools for students with special needs.

“Currently, we have 62 trust schools in urban and rural areas in nine states and we hope to have trust schools in every state soon,” he said after launching the Trust Schools Conference here yesterday.

He called on more corporate and private companies to get involved in the programme as it differs from the daily schools, which are managed by the ministry, education department or district education offices.

Chong added that trust schools involved private and corporate companies who not only channel funds but also help improve the quality of teaching and learning and increase the quality of students.

“In the trust schools, we also saw many positive achievements by the students as the corporate companies also contribute towards student development and the school’s management and leadership.

“There are also more programmes in such schools compared to the daily schools under the ministry. This enables these schools, which can make their own decisions, to operate in more innovative ways,” he added.