In the serene village of Kampung Lokub in rural Kiulu, Sabah, 12-year-old Muhammad Farid Syazwan Wahid spends his days exploring the world with newfound confidence and determination.
Farid attends SK Lokub, a school conveniently located near his home. As a diligent student who strongly desires to improve, he began participating in tuition classes through a community development initiative called the Academic Support Programme (ASP).
This initiative is a component of the Community Adoption Programme (CAP) project between RYTHM Foundation and Good Shepherd Services (GSS) to improve childhood education in Sabah villages.
“My parents are the main motivators for me to attend these classes. The positive things I have learned from attending tuition classes include being able to talk with friends. I also learned to take responsibility as a leader in discussions, which taught me to be brave. All these experiences have greatly helped build my self-confidence,” the eager student shares.
Among the programmes Farid attended were a personal safety and protection class and another designed to build students’ confidence.
Through these classes, Farid feels physically and mentally prepared to tackle new experiences as he transitions to secondary school next year.
Education for All: Alddryan’s Story
Eleven-year-old Alddryan Bangguk’s journey is equally inspiring and highlights the inclusive impact of the ASP.
Alddryan is a special education needs student who began attending basic literacy and numeracy classes two years earlier. He initially struggled with reading, counting, and handwriting, which made him hesitant and uncomfortable in academic settings.
Encouraged by his parents and dedicated teachers, Alddryan joined the ASP, receiving personalised attention from educators who went above and beyond to support his learning.
“Throughout attending tuition classes, I felt happy, but there were many times I didn’t attend the classes and still received worksheets prepared by the tuition teacher, and my parents also guided me in completing the given homework. The encouragement from the tuition teacher and other teachers made me want to try.”
Eventually, Alddryan was chosen to join the GSS-led ENUMA Literacy Class. He found this interesting since, this time around, tablets were used to aid learning.
Through his perseverance, Alddryan achieved the required proficiency level in his academic skills. His success in the programme not only improved his overall performance but also instilled a strong desire to keep learning and growing.
Transforming Childhood Education through Community Development
The Sabah CAP operated from April 2021 to March this year.
Its community development approach provided children with academic support and empowered youths and women with the skills they needed to gain economic independence.
The project recognises that educating a community’s young is necessary for lasting change to take root. Through the ASP, over 100 children from seven villages have benefited from enhanced educational support, resulting in remarkable improvements in their academic performance.
The ASP’s structured approach, which includes remedial education, accelerated learning, and targeted interventions, has consistently closed learning gaps and elevated students’ reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. Echoing education advocacy for all, schoolchildren who live in remote locations like Farid and Alddryan deserve access to quality education. Their story shows that through the combined efforts of people who take action, it’s possible to create a brighter and more confident future for Kiulu’s next generation.
Discover more inspiring stories from the remote villages of Sabah and learn how they have transformed their communities!
