Norah (third left) presents a trophy and certificate to the primary school champion witnessed by (from right) Akun, Nurasyiqin, Junia and Manggie.
SARIKEI: Teachers ought to expose students to agriculture through extra-curricular activities and competitions since it is the government’s agenda to transform Sarikei into a food producer.
Tanjung Manis MP Datuk Norah Tun Abdul Rahman suggested this when she closed a Bahasa Melayu pidato contest held in conjunction with the Pineapple and Borneo Fruits Festival at the civic centre here recently
She believed exposure was needed for students to explore agriculture as a career.
Norah believed the ‘Pidato’ competition which attracted 11 participants from secondary schools and four from primary schools could help enhance communication skills, develop character, self-esteem and the patriotic spirit.
She donated RM20,000 for organising the programme which featured an education exhibition and expo, RM20,000 to the Pineapple and Borneo Fruits Festival organising committee, and RM30,000 to the Water Sports organising committee.
Nursyafiqah Mohd Ali of SMK Kai Chung was champion in the secondary school category while Sharrone Emmah Saran (SMK Meradong) and Jenny Lau (SMK Tong Hua) were first and second runners-up respectively.
In the primary school category, first to third placed were Nisreen Sofea Mohd Azizi (SK Agama); Nur Hasaqirah (SK St Anne) and Zulmajdi Abidin (SK St Anne).
Among those present were a representative from the District Education Office, Akun Balang, representative from the Resident’s Office, Nurasyiqin Abdul Rahman,Temenggong Jun Olia and chairman of Sarikei District Headmasters’ Council, Manggie Lupang.