SIBU: A student cannot be judged on whether he/she is good enough based solely on a report card.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, said that the responsibility of modern educators is to inspire children to explore their potential and talents.
“Whether it’s through teacher training or curriculum planning, we must keep pace with the times and continuously improve to meet modern needs.
“Teachers are urged to provide students with the right guidance during the teaching process so they can determine their future direction and earnestly work towards their dreams and goals,” he said during the 120th anniversary of Sibu Methodist Schools (SMS) and SMS Alumni Association’s 50th-anniversary celebration banquet held at a prominent hotel here on Saturday night.
Tiong’s speech was delivered by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s press secretary, Ross Sia Wan Teng.
The Bintulu MP said that children’s minds are boundless and creative.
“I hope local institutions of higher learning can become the cradle of Malaysian culture and art, inspiring children to step out of their comfort zones and ignite their courage to try new things. Let us harness the energy of our youth to drive excellence in various fields,” he said.
Regarding SMS, he acknowledged that over the century, both the secondary and primary schools have made significant progress since their inception 120 years ago.
As one of the oldest schools here, he noted that SMK Methodist has molded countless young minds with passionate teaching, imbuing them with extensive knowledge over the years. Due to the school’s dedication and wisdom, he highlighted its considerable contributions to the nation.
He added that the Methodist School is brimming with talent and boasts a roster of distinguished alumni worldwide, spanning various industries, thus serving as a vital developmental resource for the country.
“All these elements must converge to guarantee that a high-calibre education and rich cultural literacy are conferred upon Sibu’s students,” he said.
Later, Sia announced a good news by the minister which he would like to generously donate a total grant of RM250,000 for SMS. Out of the amount, RM100,000 is from Minor Rural Project (MRP) fund and RM150,000 under Rural Transformation Project (RTP) fund.
Also present were Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, Sibu Division Chinese Paramount leader Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau Lee Ming, Management Board Chairman of SMK Methodist John Ting Sik Kang, Management Board honourary chairman of SJK(C) Methodist Tan Sri Datuk Tiong Su Kouk, Management Board Chairman of SJK(C) Methodist Datuk Tiong Thai King, and SMS’s 120th-anniversary celebration’s organising chairman, Dr. Peter Tang Ing Bing.
