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| Royal Family Keen To Help Rural Students Improve English |
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KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- The Negeri Sembilan royal family has embarked on a noble way to increase English proficiency among rural students by training existing teachers.
Some 40 Maths, English and Science teachers from 12 primary schools in Sri Menanti and Kuala Pilah would be selected, under a nine-month pilot project costing RM400,000 to undergo the programme. Three state education and charity trusts -- the Tuanku Ja'afar Education Foundation, Tuanku Ampuan Najihah Foundation and Yayasan Tunku Naquiyuddin -- would fund the programme to be conducted by the Centre for British Teachers (CfBT) Education Services (M) Sdn Bhd, a non-profit international education organisation. The Tunku Laksamana of Negeri Sembilan Tunku Naquiyuddin Ibni Tuanku Ja'afar said English was crucial for students, especially in the globalised world, and the state was committed to help improve English proficiency among rural students. "About 20, 30 years ago, English was the lingua franca and now with the world regarded as one single stage, the government has wisely decided that English is a must. "If you want to go into the computer world to communicate, you need English," the Tunku Laksamana said before the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the foundations and CfBT, here Wednesday. The project called "Project to Improve English in Rural Schools (PIERS)" would begin in January next year and if successful, would be extended further in the state. "The three trusts are committed to PIERS, to train teachers teaching Maths, English and Science. Teaching teachers is the best strategy as it provides a knock-on effect on students," he added. Tunku Naquiyuddin said he wanted Negeri Sembilan to be in the forefront in English and the foundations were ready to help grassroots on a long-term basis to achieve results in improving the standards of the language. A similar project is also in the pipeline in Rantau where teachers and headmasters would participate to make it a success. Meanwhile, CfBT director for Southeast Asia Mohd Arif @ Christopher Bell said PIERS would help raise English proficiency among teachers and headmasters, improve the methodology of teaching English language, Maths and Science in English. Besides, it will increase the use of English outside classrooms and enhance the use of English educational learning resources including multi-media and reading materials. "Rural children are often disadvantaged, despite attempts by governments and private sectors. They are still left behind (in mastering English). "With improvement in English, it gives them better opportunity for high education and better employment opportunities," he added. BERNAMA By P. Vijian |
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