Kuala Lumpur: Drowning in scarcity, a student’s dreams of further education remain but mere mirages. When a child aspires to ascend the ivory tower, familial obligations and financial burdens hang like a dark cloud, casting an ominous shadow.
They sometimes deem themselves unfit, plagued by the lack of academic qualifications, unaware that the root cause is the frail access to education. Their plight seems as desolate as an arid desert, rendering their efforts futile, and their path is but a continuation of family labor.
In the heart of Semporna, Sabah, a paradise of natural beauty unfolds – crystal-clear blue waters, invigorating air, and breathtaking vistas lure tourists from far and wide. Yet, this scenic haven, rich in the tourism industry, cannot escape the educational quagmire that engulfs Sabah.
The journey of learning for students in Semporna is a far cry from that of their Peninsular counterparts, defined by scarcity. In the hinterlands, the inability to read and calculate takes center stage. Some, at the ripe age of fifteen, still grapple with basic literacy, while others, at the cusp of sixth grade, falter in counting to twenty in English.
These struggles do not arise from the lack of support or pathways for learning. Instead, they stem from an absence of awareness regarding the opportunities and assistance available to them.
Hence, a mission unfolds, led by eight participants from UiTM’s Faculty of Education, guided by their mentor, Dr. Khadijah Said Hashim. These recent graduates have embarked on a basic education mission, engaging students, teachers, and the community in several schools throughout the Semporna district, Sabah. The primary site of their mission: Kampung Kabogan, Semporna, from September 22 to 27, 2023, under the banner of the EDU Sabah Community Outreach (ECO 2023) program.
ECO 2023 stands as a stark example of student-community interaction, practical and realistic. It extends the university’s manifesto to the community, spanning six days with visits to six different types of educational institutions. These vary in purpose, objectives, student and teacher numbers, achievements, performance, issues, and challenges. However, the common goal remains providing access to education for all, regardless of age, background, or lineage.
ECO 2023’s journey has garnered a warm reception and strong support from various quarters, including the schools visited, students, teachers, school administrators, and the local community. Positive feedback includes hopes that ECO 2023 and similar educational journeys will continue in the future.
The Fun Learning English and Fun Learning STEM sessions, presented with enthusiasm and interactivity, have left a lasting impression on the UiTM students who will become future educators.
SK Kabogan also generously hosted a closing ceremony and cultural night as a token of appreciation from the community. In his closing remarks, the Headmaster, Mr. Kamul bin Kamarudin, expressed gratitude and was moved by the choice of SK Kabogan as the destination for the ECO 2023 program. He admired the unwavering commitment of the Faculty of Education students in making the ECO 2023 program a success.
For the Faculty of Education and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), it is hoped that programs like ECO 2023 will continue and be strengthened by providing robust support systems. This will ensure that the bond and interaction between the university and the community persist, guaranteeing that quality education remains accessible to all, a glimmer of hope in this gloomy landscape.
The Malay News
Education Desk
