KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has lauded Smart Reader Kids Sdn Bhd’s upcoming expansion of its science and technology-based curriculums.
“As the world is ever-evolving, the Steam programme, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, will definitely prepare children for the future — assisting in the development of crucial skills such as creativity, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills,” he said.
Under the technology-based curriculum, the 20,000 preschool children in Smart Reader Kids kindergartens would be given exposure to tech-enabled environments and experiences.
“We appreciate Smart Reader Worldwide’s effort in encouraging families to spend time away from technology and focus on quality time with loved ones,” Abang Johari said at a Smart Reader Kids Family Fun Walk 2019 held at Plaza Merdeka here, yesterday.
His text of speech was read by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Smart Reader Worldwide executive director Keefe Ong said the Family Fun Walk was an annual event aimed at raising funds for their scholarship programme for underprivileged kids nationwide — namely the One Child One Hope Education Scholarship Programme (OCOH).
“To date, we have pledged more than RM2 million to the cause, with about 600 less fortunate children from all over Malaysia benefitting from this scholarship programme,” he said.
The fun walk, organised by Smart Reader Worldwide and Aim Smart Academics Sdn Bhd has been conducted in Kuching and Bintulu and will be held in Labuan later this year.
A 3.2km walk that was initially intended to be held around the Kuching Waterfront had to be shifted to indoor-based activities due to the haze.
During the event, chief executive officer (CEO) of Smart Reader Worldwide Datuk Seri Dr Richard Ong presented a mock cheque for RM7,000 to the Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, who represented the Association of Professional Early Child Providers (APECP).
