Adult learners showing their certificates after completing the Native Adult literacy programme organised by the Sabah Education Department. A total of 324 adults from throughout Sabah completed their study.
KOTA KINABALU: Uneducated from young, three natives are now relishing their capacity to read and write at a beginner’s level.
The three are Lomas Asok from Tenom, Abdul Bin Kali from Pulau Libaran Sandakan and Ebin Awang Tahir from Pulau Banggi who took part in the Native Adult literacy programme organised by the Sabah Education Department.
Lomas, who is in her 40s, said that she is a housewife and a rubber tapper.
“The programme was introduced by the SK Simpang headmaster who told me that since I have children enrolled at the school, I should take part in the adult literacy programme,” she said.
She was also told that SK Simpang was chosen by the Sabah Education Department to conduct the Adult Literacy programme amongst natives which is also known as KEDAP.
“Initially, I found myself struggling to understand, particularly mathematics. But after a month, I start understanding more,” she said.
Lomas added that her two schoolgoing children were delighted they signed up to learn at their school.
“Since I began attending class, their school attendance improves,” she said.
She also said that she feels happy being able to help her children with their homework now that she has the basic grasp of reading and writing.
Aside from being a rubber tapper, Lomas also creates handicrafts which are sold to the tourism body.
“Our entire kampung works as a team to meet the requirement of the body. We get all our raw ingredient from the forests,” she said.
Presently, however, they are unable to produce any new handicraft as the bamboos used to create them are still young.
Abdul Kali, 71, studies at SK Pulau Libaran in Sandakan.
He told members of the media that he joined because the school headmaster told him it would be good for him to join.
He added that prior to this, he had never attended school, and was now keen on continuing his learning experience.
“If there is another stage, I would like to continue,” he said.
Unfortunately he has problem with his eyesight so he is unable to read the newspaper if one was given him, he said.
He also said that he works as a fisherman and has seven children and eight grandchildren.
Ebin Awang Tahir, 42, hails from Pulau Banggi and said that prior to attending the literacy class, he absolutely had no idea how to read and write.
Nevertheless, he was curious what his children were learning at school.
“I never went to school and since young, it has been hard work in the sea for me,” he said.
However, his trade is governed by the weather and during stormy days, he was unable to go out to sea and feed his family, he said.
“Now, with this knowledge, I can help my kids to study,” he said.
Lomas, Abdul and Ebin were among 324 parents who completed the Native Adult literacy programme and received the certificate from Assistant Education and Innovation Minister Mohammad Mohamarin yesterday.