THE Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly reshaped the education landscape, with online learning becoming the new norm.
In response to this shift, Tavis, an online tuition centre, as part of their commitment to promoting quality education, has launched a
nationwide contest called 'Cabaran Bahasa Malaysia Tavis'.
The contest is aimed at fostering the improvement of students' Bahasa Malaysia language skills.
Tavis, founded by the former mayor of Kuala Lumpur and current chairman, Tan Sri Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz, said it hopes to provide accessible education to every secondary student in Malaysia.
The platform utilises Education Technology (EdTech) to equip
students with vital 21st-century skills, preparing them for success in society.
The 'Cabaran Bahasa Malaysia Tavis' is a special initiative designed exclusively for the Tavis student community. It seeks to encourage and enhance students' proficiency in their mother
tongue, the Malay language, by challenging them to write an essay on a given topic in Bahasa Malaysia.
Participants were judged based on the clarity of their language, creativity, and originality of ideas.
Mohd Amin said the goal is to encourage the use of Bahasa Malaysia and improve students' proficiency in the language.
"We are excited to see the creativity and passion that Malaysian
secondary students bring to this competition," he said.
He said that the contest would not only promote the use of Bahasa Malaysia but also develop students' cognitive skills and showcase their language proficiency and understanding.
This year, the 'Cabaran Bahasa Malaysia Tavis' contest has witnessed participation from over 2,000 students across all 14 states in Malaysia.
The competition began with Round 1 in January, 2023, followed by Round 2 in March, 2023, and culminating in the final round on May 28, at MyTOWNKL.
"The participants' presentation as a whole was undeniably impressive. The level of delivery and the remarkable abilities showcased by numerous participants exceeded expectations. I
simply cannot single them out. Witnessing their presentations was truly an awe-inspiring experience. This event really shows the participants to take pride in the national language," said panel judge, Dessy Jamaluddin.
Ahmad Iqbal Mohd Khafzan from Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah in Klang, Selangor, was the grand prize winner and received RM10,000 for his impressive skills in the language.
At 17 years old, he is the eldest of seven siblings, and his father works in a paper-making factory while his mother stays at home. Despite his busy schedule, Ahmad Iqbal remains active in sports and dreams of becoming a BM lecturer after completing his studies at UPSI.
Tan Wei Chun from SMJK Kwang Hua in Klang, Selangor came in second place, and was rewarded with RM5,000. As the eldest of four siblings, both of his parents run a small convenience store, and he attends online tuition to excel in his studies.
Third place went to Nurul Iman Mohd Hafiz from SMK Methodist Tanjong Malim in Perak. As the eldest daughter of two siblings, her mother is a BM teacher while her father works as an executive
at AFES Shah Alam, and she has been a top student since Form 1.