SPAOH: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah wants teachers to give extra help and attention to slow learners in their schools.
He said he had been told of cases here where some students could not read or write or do calculation even after completing six years of primary education.
“We must address this problem. When our students cannot read or write or calculate after even five years of attending classes, they will be at a big disadvantage.
“There will be no way for them to catch up,” he said when officiating at the Teacher’s Day celebration of Chinese schools from the Sri Aman and Betong Divisions at the community hall here on Saturday (Nov 11).
Uggah, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development also called on teachers to instil positive values in their students.
“This is to prevent them from indulging in unhealthy activities like drug taking and alcoholism,” he said.
If left unchecked, he said, these could pose serious problems to society.
“In Chinese schools in the two divisions, Bumiputera students now formed a big percentage of their enrolment.
“Thus such schools are very ideal places to sow the seed of racial unity and harmony.
“Our new generation from different races can learn to know and appreciate each other’s aspirations and problems,” he said.
He also stressed that racial unity is one of the state’s biggest assets and that the state is respected even nationwide for this.
“Because of our very strong unity, we are able to develop and progress well ahead of others in the nation,” he said.
Uggah also hoped Chinese schools would continue to do their part in strengthening racial unity and harmony.
He later announced a grant of RM50,000 to the organising committee of the function for next year’s event while Betong MP Dr Richard gave RM5,000.
The event also saw the presentation of the Tokoh Guru award by Uggah to Tan Kah Hui of the SJK(C) Chung Hua in Pantu in Sri Aman Division.
