MARUDI: The Penan Community Education Programme has had a great impact on students from the community.
A pupil receives his MyKad from Sikie, who is flanked by Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau (second right) and village chief Daud Suok.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Native Adat and Penan Affairs) Datuk John Sikie Tayai said after the programme was implemented at SK Long Urun in 2010, the average attendance rate jumped to 78 per cent compared to just 48.6 per cent the following year.
He said Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) scores also improved starting from 2012 to a pass rate of 60 per cent compared to between 0 per cent passes and a maximum of 33 per cent from 2009 to 2011.
“Between three and four Penan pupils have also successfully scored three to four A’s in the UPSR. This shows the best and positives for rural schools.
“I believe that the parents always give moral support to all children continuously to improve their education level,” he said when closing the Penan Community Education Programme at Long Jekitan on Wednesday.
Sikie also reminded the Penan community not to stop sending their children to school because of financial issues.
“The principle of saving for our children has to be trained from the beginning. Once our children complete Form 5 and have their SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia), that money we can use to send them to tertiary institutions,” he said.