PERTIWI, Tadika Raihan Launch 'Terus Belajar' Project To Promote Literacy Among Children

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- Pertubuhan Tindakan Wanita Islam Malaysia (PERTIWI) and Tadika Raihan today unveiled the PERTIWI ‘Terus Belajar’ Project, aiming to promote literacy among children from marginalised and illiterate backgrounds.

In a joint statement, PERTIWI acting president Laili Ismail said the project, supported by Yayasan Hasanah under the Ministry of Finance, was carried out in collaboration with Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih (SBJK), Chow Kit and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP).

“This initiative aims to support 37 underprivileged students at SBJK and is expected to make a positive impact, further reinforcing PERTIWI’s strategic thrust towards the advancement of education,” she said.

Laili said that the implementation of the project at SBJK Chow Kit marked the start of a transformation aimed at equipping young minds with essential literacy skills.

She said that the pilot project, as part of PERTIWI’s alternative education programme, would assist in raising the literacy and numeracy levels of children aged seven to 12 from poor urban families in Kuala Lumpur.

“We are grateful that, through the support of Yayasan Hasanah and the collaboration with UniMAP in learning techniques, this initiative, which has been pre-launched since January, will make a significant difference in the lives of the students involved,” she said.

Meanwhile, Zuhairah Ali, Executive Director of Tadika Raihan, a pioneer Malaysian kindergarten in early literacy, launched the 10th edition of her book, Siri Kaedah Terus Membaca, at the event, which was officiated by former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

According to Zuhairah, the book, first published in 1965 by her late mother, Datuk Dr Nooraihan Sallehuddin, has successfully enhanced reading skills among children, not only in Malaysia but also in other Southeast Asian countries, through its innovative approach.

“Her (Dr Nooraihan’s) method has been very successful in improving literacy, especially in the Philippines, where her approach has transformed the educational landscape. Now, we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of this book with the release of its 10th edition,” she said.

Zuhairah said that for this edition, the book was redesigned with new text, equipped with audio QR codes, and featured updated illustrations to cater to the literacy needs of today’s young generation.

She added that the book was expected to benefit more than 1,000 students through its first printing.

The book will also be used in the PERTIWI’s Terus Belajar programme, guided by seven special tutors and three assistant tutors throughout the project's year, to foster a culture of reading and learning among children in need.

-- BERNAMA