Free education isn’t cheap

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THE Kuching Lasallian Foundation (KLF) which runs the LaSalian Rural Education Service (LRES) is one the few bodies in the state that provide free tuition and remedial classes to help poor students attain at least a basic primary six education.

COMMUNITY HALL PLUS TRAINING CENTRE: Kpg Stabut’s Community hall is used for KLF’s training centre.

However, KLF is facing a big task of self-financing the programme with six centres, most of which in rural areas, to look after.

Last year, the total costs of running these centres amounted to RM146,200, including teachers’ salaries, utility bills, maintenance and other miscellaneous expenses.

The projected expenditure for this and the next four years is RM1,295,000, covering the setting up of three new centres, recruitment of a full-time educationist, a clerk and KLF’s expansion programme.

“KLF has been fortunate in that many alumni of Sacred Heart and St Joseph’s are continuing to sponsor the students at the centres,” said Bro Albinus O’Flaherty, advisor and member of the Foundation’s board.

Other benefactors are the State government through the Sarawak Foundation, KTS, the STAR Foundation and other philanthropic bodies.

KLF itself has sponsored 20 students from the Salvation Army and a few low-income families in Kuching.

Meanwhile, the KLF board will look into the possible sources of funding and manpower requirements, and the outcome according to Bro Albinus, will determine the direction of the Foundation.

“There are not many outfits such as ours that promote education for the under-privileged.

“This task requires our concerted effort. We, therefore, feel the urgent need to continue and expand – provided we have both personnel and finance,” he said.

Besides funds, the Foundation is also appealing for more volunteers to help with its activities.

KLF, a charitable organisation, was set up in 2002 by former students of Sacred Heart School and St Joseph’s School.

It is continuing the legacy of John Baptist De La Salle, founder of the De La Salle Brothers, to provide equal opportunities to marginalised students in education.

KLF is open to all irrespective of race and religion. Most of the students are bumiputera and Muslims with a handful of Chinese.

Selected students are expected to pay RM2 a month to ensure their commitment and responsibility.

Pointed out William Chong, the Foundation’s secretary: “We hope to instill the Lasallian spirit in the children as this is a service, not a commercial undertaking.

“Hopefully, we can inculcate a sense of service in others and learn from the selfless examples of John Baptist De La Salle.”

LRES programme students learn basic reading, writing and math on a one-to-one basis or at most, two to three students to a teacher.

In this way, the facilitator can concentrate on each child and help develop it at its own pace.

There are six stages the students have to go through – speaking, writing, reading, simple sums, drawing and silent moments.

If any of the students find difficulty at any station, they can always repeat it until they master it. Thus, the children are learning at their own pace.

Explained Bro Albinus: “Given this opportunity, they can learn how to learn.”

KLF started as a tuition centre with the emphasis on English and math and science. In 2009, the programme included learning for slow students and since then, the two programmes have been developing side by side.

There are five centres in the rural areas and one in Kuching. Classes are conducted in the afternoon to avoid clashing with the formal classes.

According to Chong, the students in the programme are getting quality education as the board is very particular about the training of the teachers.

“As we are dealing with slow learners, teachers have to ensure they receive individual attention. So we accept only 15 per class, and in most cases, just 10 or 12 for the Learning Programme.”

The students will join the normal tuition classes after they reach the required level of competency.

Chong said teachers and supervisors were continually being trained under the guidance of Bro Justin and Bro John of the De La Salle Brothers.

Students are interviewed before being accepted into the centre. A test is conducted before the selection to ascertain their inadequacies.

The journey towards competency may be slow and arduous for students and the Foundation but given time, both will reach their destination – a brighter tomorrow for the students and continuance of the Lasallian spirit for the Foundation.