Nurturing multilingual pupils
Company committed to boosting language skills in schools nationwide
SUBANG JAYA: When The Star sent a proposal for an education pullout sponsorship programme to LBS Bina Group years ago, Tan Sri Lim Hock San said they did not hesitate to jump on board.
“We immediately agreed because it was for a good cause,” said the managing director of the property development company.
“It is important to know Mandarin as China is one of the world’s economic superpowers. But it is also important to know English to communicate with other parts of theworld.
“Many students in China are also learning English,” Lim said after handing over a mock cheque for the sponsorship of The Star’s Step Up pullouts.
Star Media Group Bhd adviser Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai was on hand to receive the mock cheque during a ceremony at SJK(C) Tun Tan Siew Sin, Selangor, where Lim is the chairman of the board of governors.
This is LBS Bina Group’s eighth year sponsoring Step Up to schools. The sponsorship falls under LBS Foundation, which was set up in 2015. The four pillars of the foundation focus on community, health, environment and education.
Lim said the sponsorship had become an annual contribution.
“Step Up is very useful and has benefited thousands of pupils. It is one way we give back to society.
“There has also been positive feedback from schools. The pullout serves as reading material and a teaching tool.
“I urge the public to support the pullout. I also hope other corporations will sponsor other schools so that more pupils can benefit from it,” he said.
Lim advised pupils studying in Chinese schools to not only master Mandarin, but the English language as well.
“Make full use of the newspapers. Master Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and English. When you step out into society in the future, you will have a better edge when it comes to finding a job,” he added.
This year, the property developer is donating RM60,000 worth of Step Up pullouts to 88 schools nationwide.
Also present were Lim’s wife Puan Sri Karen Lim and SJK(C) Tun Tan Siew Sin headmistress Teoh Ai Theng.
Teoh said the pullouts and newspapers helped pupils gain knowledge and improve their English proficiency.
“Thanks to LBS, teachers can incorporate authentic materials into learning. Step Up is also colourful and attractive, and pupils enjoy doing the exercises.
“The pullout provides HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) questions that are in line with the national syllabus. The bilingual pullouts also help pupils understand their exercises better,” she added.
Step Up is a colourful 24-page workbook-cum-activity pullout that is designed for pupils in Years Four, Five and Six. It aims to help them ace their UPSR (Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah).
The pullout features syllabus-based content that tackles themes set by the Education Ministry.
For more information on The Star’s educational packages and sponsorship programmes, contact the Customer Care Unit at 1300 887 827 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. All packages are available through school subscription only.