Kemas aims to produce first class students and leaders for nation

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CATCH THEM YOUNG: Students from the Silat category winning team of Kemas Santubong entertain the crowd with their demonstration at the closing ceremony.

KUCHING: The future of the Community Development Department (Kemas) kindergartens could never look better as it embarks on a vision to produce students with a first class mentality.

Old-time perceptions of Kemas being a third-class kindergarten catering for the poor and rural communities are long gone as the kindergarten network begins to produce outstanding achievers.

Efforts from the government to develop Kemas have catapulted its standard nationwide.

“The government has worked hard to develop Kemas to become a top class kindergarten and now is the time for us to set a new benchmark — to produce super class students,” said PBB Tupong branch deputy chairman Dr Zaidi Suhaili when officiating at the closing of the ‘2011 Kuching Zone Kemas kindergarten Students Potential Day’ held at the general operations force (GOF) Batu Kawa camp near here yesterday.

Also present were state Kemas director Abang Rabaee Abang Muhi and MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang as well as an estimated 400 parents, teachers and children at the camp’s multi-purpose hall.

He stressed that Kemas must now not only raise children with a first class mentality, but also ensure that its efforts are carried right through primary and secondary school.

Dr Zaidi who was representing Deputy Science Technology and Innovation Minister and Petra Jaya MP Datuk Fadillah Yusof, said the current holistic approach stressed by the government should enable teachers to identify students with leadership qualities.

Describing such students as having bold and active attributes, he hoped their leadership potential would be enhanced so that they grow up to be respected persons and well-received in society.

“Strong leadership skills provides the epitome of building super class mentality students and their development must be continuous,” he continued.

In addition, he also highlighted the importance of inculcating the 1Malaysia concept in the minds of children to promote national unity and strengthen nation building for the future.

The one-day event saw students from the various Kemas kindergartens in the Kuching zone participating in events such as futsal, netball, rounders, and silat. Winning teams for each event will represent the Kuching zone in the state level Kemas’ Students Potential Day.

The best student award went to Kemas Santubong constituency student Dayang Rohaizawati Awang Ramand.