MARUDI: A total of 2,047 adults in the state completed the Functional Literacy Education (PLF) programme in 149 classes and successfully learned reading, writing, counting and using WhatsApp.
Director General of KEMAS Ahmad Kamal Idris Mohd Nawawi said, the KEMAS PLF class is currently expanding and has gained a positive response from rural communities.
“Participants gain a variety of experiences, especially the ability to apply 3M principles in everyday life.
“For example, if before this they were not good at reading short messages on WhatsApp sent by their respective contacts, but after six months of attending the PLF class, each of them can read and send WhatsApp messages well,” he said.
He was on a working visit to Sarawak where he inspected the PLF classes at Rumah Panjang Giling, Sungai Buloh and Rumah Panjang Lalo, Sungai Selezau near Baram, yesterday.
Ahmad Kamal said KEMAS has set up 149 PLF classes in Sarawak with 39 teaching staff and 2,047 participants in total.
“Classes are held for two to three hours a day, two to three times a week in the ruai of long houses, community halls, houses of worship and community halls.
“Our goal is to eliminate illiteracy and improve literacy levels in rural and inland Sarawak including Sabah through 3M.
“Our aim is to enhance the community’s quality of life,” he said, while offering opportunities for educational support to adults and teenagers who left formal schooling.
Participants can learn 3M skills, as well as handicraft, weaving and cooking skills.
“KEMAS plays a role in providing knowledge to increase human capital regardless of age, culture, religion, race, or state boundaries.
“We shoulder the government’s trust to provide the best service to all levels of society.
“We offer kindergartens and nurseries to provide parents with facilities for their children to receive high-quality education similar to private kindergartens,” he said.
The 3M programme offers Skills Education to enhance the community’s expertise in sewing, cooking, handicrafts, and personal grooming.
“This will enable the community to use those skills to explore the field of business, and then become successful entrepreneurs.
“We offer Community Development Programmes like SKod and Rakan Kebun to promote unity and create a civilised society with a good quality of life.
“Seize the opportunity given by the government through KEMAS to avoid being left behind.
“I hope to see all KEMAS programmes receive community response everywhere for economic development,” he said.
He also presented a set of stationery to all the participants at the locations visited.
