KAMPUNG MADANI INITIATIVE AT RPS BETAU TO EMPOWER EDUCATION FOR ORANG ASLI - TUNKU AZIZAH

LIPIS, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, has expressed her appreciation to the Ministry of Education (MOE) for selecting the Betau Resettlement Plan (RPS) as Kampung MADANI, as part of its initiative to strengthen the education of Orang Asli children and ensure they do not fall behind in their studies.

Her Royal Highness also conveyed her gratitude to the state government for establishing the Royal Pahang Weaving Centre in Pos Betau, which contributes to improving the economic well-being of the Orang Asli community in the state.

“I am pleased with the continuous efforts to train the ‘orang kita’ children in weaving skills. This initiative has successfully opened up job opportunities for them, boosting family income and enhancing their skills.

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“Through this initiative, I have been informed that the Pahang government is committed to ensuring that none of our children fall behind in education,” said Tunku Azizah.

She said this in her royal address at the Sejambak Kasih Peribumi Jiwa MADANI programme at the Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia, Tengku Ampuan Afzan Campus (IPGMKTAA), here today.

The royal address was read by the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. Also present was IPGM rector Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad.

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Tunku Azizah expressed her hope that all relevant parties and agencies would lend strong support to ensure the success of Orang Asli education, noting that the National Indigenous Pedagogy Centre of Excellence at the IPGM Tengku Ampuan Afzan Campus was instrumental in this endeavour.

Since its establishment in 2008, Her Royal Highness stated that the centre has remained dedicated to educating children from the Orang Asli community.

“I was also informed about the centre’s commendable efforts in providing expert services not only to students but also to the teachers at the 29 Orang Asli schools in Pahang, through ongoing courses.

“Therefore, today’s programme aims not only to strengthen the bonds between different segments of society but also to serve as a vital means for us to gain deeper insights into the values central to the Orang Asli community,” said Tunku Azizah.

Meanwhile, Mohd Azam, in his speech, said the role undertaken by the IPGM through IPGMKTAA was crucial for developing teachers through the Orang Asli special intake programme.

“Since 2010, IPGMKTAA has trained 319 Orang Asli students. As of October 2024, 161 of these trained individuals have been posted to 98 Orang Asli schools and regular schools accommodating Orang Asli students.

“Of the total, 158 students are still pursuing their studies. Since the inception of the special intake programme for teachers in 2010, Pahang has produced nearly 110 teachers,” he said.

--BERNAMA