KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan said it is important for students to build their character holistically, apart from pursuing academic success and getting involved in co-curricular activities.
Kamalanathan yesterday launched the opening ceremony of “Ace It Easy” programme organised by Ascendance Sdn Bhd at SMK La Salle, Petaling Jaya as one of the ministry’s initiatives to provide holistic education.
“We have chosen 10 schools for this programme to nurture students’ character and this is the fourth school selected for this pilot project.
“SMK La Salle is the first school in the city to benefit from this programme. We have previously launched this programme at SMK Kalumpang, SMK Serendah and SMK Kuala Selangor, all located in rural areas.
“As stated previously by our Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, what is important is the students’ character, besides their academic success and co-curricular activities.
"We want to produce students with good moral values as well as giving them the motivation to achieve success in the fields they have chosen to pursue,” he said.
With the slogan “For students by students”, the programme touches on holistic development of a child along intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical dimensions as reflected in the National Education Philosophy.
The programme is in line with the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013 to 2025 to develop value-driven Malaysians with strong universal values and leadership skills.
The one-day workshop, which starts from 8.30am to 1.30pm, will involve follow-up sessions held every once a month for six months for 35 students selected for the programme.
“Ace it Easy” is delivered by fellow students who are top scorers and high achievers themselves, age ranging from 15 to 26 years old.
Ascendance chief executive officer Mathura Kannan said the programme was about building self-confidence.
“What we want to share with these students is how they can do well in their exams and also in other areas of their lives.
“What I have noticed during this first month of participation is that the students can now connect well with the facilitators and have confidence speaking up.
Muhammad Nasrulshah Muhammad Aslam, 16, said he was excited to the programme and hoped to improve his confidence and attitude.
“I hope the facilitators will motivate us in various aspects of life, not only in acing exams but also character-wise.
“I believe the programme will improve my public speaking and communication skills,” he said.
Also present at the launch were Selangor Education Department senior assistant director (language) Raman Annamalai, SMK La Salle principal Teo Boon Hwa and Lxory director Dano Eduard Falk, who is the sponsor of the programme.