RISDA FETES 640 SPM TOP SCORERS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) today feted 640 students, children of RISDA smallholders, who achieved excellent results in the 2023 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination through the RISDA Tuisyen Rakyat programme.

RISDA chairman, Manndzri Nasib said under the initiative of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), the RISDA Tuisyen Rakyat programme, implemented under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (RMK-9), has proven effective in enhancing students' academic performance.

"The Tuisyen Rakyat programme has shown improved academic performance in the 2023 SPM exam, indicating a positive impact whereby two students achieved 12A, 19 students obtained 11A, 17 students received 10A, 59 students got 9A, 87 students earned 8A, 105 students attained 7A, 154 students achieved 6A, and 197 students obtained 5A or higher.

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"This initiative not only provides educational opportunities but also demonstrates the government's commitment to alleviating the financial burden faced by rural parents, especially rubber smallholders," he said at the RISDA Tuisyen Rakyat Programme Appreciation Awards Ceremony at a hotel here today.

The ceremony was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister. Also present was the ministry's newly-appointed secretary-general, Datuk Mohd Khair Razman Mohamed.

The RISDA Tuisyen Rakyat programme has expanded to 200 tuition centres nationwide with the commitment of 1,000 teachers and 3,000 students, consisting of the rural youth, including children of RISDA smallholders, focusing on five main subjects - Mathematics, Science, Bahasa Melayu, English and History.

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Manndzri said through this initiative, KKDW strives to minimise barriers for rural students to maximise their potential by reducing the financial burden on parents through the provision of free reference materials for students.

Meanwhile, Renorico a/l Mazeri, 18, a student from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Seri Bera, Pahang, said the tuition programme greatly helped Orang Asli students like him to have the same educational opportunities as students in urban areas.

Hailing from Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Rok, Bera, the 2023 SPM student who achieved 9As said the programme should continue for future generations so that upcoming SPM candidates can also achieve excellent results in the exam.

"Anyway, I hope this programme continues because I believe it can have a positive impact on students' motivation," said the son of a rubber tapper.

Another student from the interior of Lawas, Sarawak, Joylenne Lua Balang, 18, said the RISDA Tuisyen Rakyat programme greatly helped her, including with books, stationery, and additional training to help her prepare for the SPM exam.

"Previously, I often got E and F in Mathematics, but through the training provided by RISDA, I finally got 8As in SPM, including in that subject," said Joylenne, a Lunbawang student from Kampung Long Tanid, Lawas.

The fourth of six siblings, she added that she also received an offer to further her studies in English language education (TESL) at the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Batu Lintang Campus, putting her on the right track to achieving her dream of becoming a teacher.

Ahmad Adam Qayyum Ismail, 18, from Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, said the RISDA Tuisyen Rakyat programme was very useful and impactful, enabling him to achieve 12As in the 2023 SPM, making his single mother proud.

-- BERNAMA