Announcement   {{vm.currentPagination}}/{{vm.totalSlide}}
Join us for Taylor's Open Day from 15, 16, 22, and 23 March 2025 Register Now

Taylor’s College and SK RPS Banun Launch Learning Hub to Support Orang Asli Community in Gerik

{{ vm.tagsGroup }}

06 Dec 2024

4 Min Read

Taylor's Team (Editor)

IN THIS ARTICLE
Visitation to SK RPS Banun to launch the learning hub alongisde Cikgu Shawn and other VIP guests

In a continued effort to improve access to education in underserved communities, Taylor’s College has teamed up with Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) RPS Banun to launch a new Learning Hub aimed at supporting the Orang Asli community in Gerik, Perak. The development of the hub was made possible with the collaboration of Shawn Stanly Anthony Dass, an educator at SK RPS Banun and winner of the 2024 RISE Educator Award. It provides a multifunctional space where students, parents, and community members can engage in educational and collaborative activities.

 

The event was graced by Puan Fadzliaton Zainudin, Deputy Director of Education Resources and Technology Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia who acknowledged the partnership, saying, “We value the cooperation between the private sector with the Ministry of Education in ensuring education can be accessed by all students. Furthermore, this initiative is in line with the concept of ‘Sekolah Milik Masyarakat’ that would not only benefit students but also parents and the community as a whole.”

 

Josephine Tan, Taylor’s College Campus Director, said, “Education is the foundation of lifelong success, and initiatives like the Learning Hub drive meaningful change, not just for the students and schools, but for Malaysia’s educational landscape. The RISE Educator Award plays an important role in recognising and amplifying the efforts of educators like Cikgu Shawn, who inspire transformation in their communities. Projects like these paves the way for a more empowered and prosperous society, reflecting our dedication to redefining education and fostering inclusive, transformative learning environments across communities.”

 

The community project was also attended by Sarah Lasung, Head of Training and Leadership at Teach For Malaysia. “It is a privilege to stand alongside Taylor's College as allies in recognizing and celebrating educators who go above and beyond to inspire and uplift others. Seeing Cikgu Shawn’s dedication to his students is a reminder of the difference passionate educators make in our communities. We hope his story inspires others to support and uplift the next generation of learners across Malaysia,” she said.

 

From Vision to Reality: Building the Learning Hub

The Learning Hub features three distinct zones—Learning, Play, and Collaboration

The idea for The Learning Hub was sparked by four students who saw potential in transforming an underutilised area of the school into a functional, community-serving space. It offers a dedicated space for students of SK RPS Banun and the surrounding Orang Asli villages to study, learn, and engage in structured activities.

 

“Creating the Learning Hub was born out of necessity, but also from the creativity and determination of our students. It’s a place where they can learn, grow, and connect with their community. These students saw an opportunity to transform an unused area into something meaningful. Thanks to the RM20,000.00 funding and support from Taylor’s College, along with the invaluable guidance of my mentor, Nur Syazadiyanah binti Suraini, during the ideation of the Learning Hub, that vision has become a reality. This is just the beginning, but it's an important step in helping our students overcome the challenges they face.” said Cikgu Shawn. 

Group photo with Orang Asli students who benefited from the Learning Hub

Created with input from a focus group of 16 participants, including parents, The Learning Hub stands out for its unique design and community-driven construction. Built by the community themselves, it blends modern educational functionality with cultural heritage, using upcycled materials. The space features three distinct zones (Learning, Play, and Collaboration) each designed to serve specific educational needs while allowing flexibility for diverse teaching methods for 21st century learning. Interactive wall panels, a mural painted by students, and areas for exploration, technology, quiet study, leisure and edutainment all encourage curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, reflecting the community’s collective effort to foster a vibrant, culturally enriched learning environment.


Headmaster Mohd Zamarol Ahmad of SK RPS Banun expressed his gratitude: “For many of our students, the realities of the outside world feel distant, but with this Learning Hub, we are bringing opportunities closer to them. This initiative represents a significant step forward for our community and is a powerful reminder of the potential we can unlock when we work together. On behalf of the school and the community, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Taylor’s College for their generous support. The RM20,000.00 funding and the projectors will greatly enhance our teaching resources and help our students thrive.”

Earlier this year, Taylor’s College has crowned Shawn Stanly Anthony Dass as the RISE Educator Award 2024 winner. The dedicated educator who teaches in a remote village in Gerik, Perak, was awarded RM5,000.00 for his achievement and RM20,000.00 for his school. Additionally, four finalists of the RISE Educator Award 2024 also received RM1,000.00, with an additional RM10,000.00 allocated to their schools to enhance facilities or infrastructure, supporting a conducive environment for quality education.

 

For more information on RISE Educator Award, please visit Taylor’s College website here.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED
{{ item.articleDate ? vm.formatDate(item.articleDate) : '' }}
{{ item.readTime }} Min Read