Teachers Parents and Students grateful for computers

1 February 2025

By AVV

PENAMPANG: The distribution of computers by Yayasan Bank Rakyat (YBR) to 24 schools in the area has been warmly received by teachers, parents, and students, who believe it will significantly enhance students' educational experiences.

The donations were delivered through the Bank Rakyat MADANI Community Outreach Programme: Back to School, at SMK Limbanak, Penampang, officiated by the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDC), Datuk Ewon Benedick.

The secondary schools benefiting from this initiative include SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin, SMK Limbanak, SM St. Michael, and SMK Bahang. In the primary school category, the recipients are SK Sugud, SK Puun Tunoh, SK Buit Hill, SK Bahang, SK Kibabaig, SK St. Anthony, and SJKC Yue Min Penampang.

Additionally, other primary schools that received computers include SK Penampang, SK St. Joseph Penampang, SK St. Aloysius Limbanak, SK St. Paul Kolopis, SK St. Theresa Inobong, SK Putaton Inobong, SK Kipouvo, and SK Babagon, along with SK Tampasak Togudun and SK Moyog. Each of these schools received ten desktop computers.

Due to lower student enrollment, SK Buayan, SK Longkogungan, and SK Terian each received four computers. This initiative is expected to provide essential technological resources that will foster a more effective learning environment for all students.

Donna Sharon Johnny, a resident of Kampung Dabak and mother of a Form One student at SM St. Michael, expressed her gratitude for the computer distribution initiative by Yayasan Bank Rakyat (YBR). Noting that her child was among the many who did not previously have access to a computer, Donna stated that the new technology will be a valuable asset to his education.

Donna also extended her appreciation to the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick, for his presence at the distribution event.

Similarly, Jennifer Mojily, a mother of a Primary Six student at SK St. Joseph, praised the YBR's contribution, highlighting its significance in enhancing her child's educational prospects. She expressed her deepest gratitude to the organisers and acknowledged the value of the donation in supporting her child's learning.

SMK St. Michael's Senior Assistant for the Afternoon Session, Audrey Cherry Insing, welcomed the computer donation and emphasised its potential to boost the school's achievements.

She stated that it will facilitate documentation work and contribute to the school's continued success. She expressed her appreciation to YBR and Datuk Ewon Benedick for their generosity.

Wendy Saikun, a teacher at SK St. Anthony, acknowledged the positive impact of the computer donation on her students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have access to computers at home. She praised YBR for their initiative and thanked them for their contribution.

Thirteen-year-old Cornelia Malix, a student from SK Moyog, warmly thanked the authorities for gifting her school with computers. Cornelia, who was visibly thrilled, believed that the new technology would enable her and her peers to study more effectively.

Bank Rakyat, an agency under MEDC, donated a total of RM144,000 to 72 schools in the Penampang and Kadamaian areas, benefiting 1,440 students from B40 families.

In addition to school assistance, Bank Rakyat has also contributed 460 sets of computers to 55 schools in both regions.

In his speech, Ewon stated that this demonstrates Bank Rakyat's ongoing commitment to empowering education and assisting students in need.

He expressed his gratitude to Bank Rakyat for continuing to be part of the solution to meet the needs within the educational movement, complementing the existing efforts, particularly those implemented by the Ministry of Education.

He further indicated that since taking on the significant responsibilities in this ministry two years ago, he wishes to maintain the existing focus while also providing additional focus on Sabah and Sarawak.

Also present were the Secretary General of MEDC, Datuk Sri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, the Chairman of Bank Rakyat, Datuk Mohd Irwan Mohd Mubarak, and the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Bank Rakyat, Ahmad Shahril Mohd Shariff.