Teach For M’sia comes to aid of rural students facing SPM

KUALA LUMPUR – As Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) looms for students who were supposed to sit the examinations last year, a group of educators with Teach For Malaysia (TFM) is reaching out to those studying in rural areas.

Sarawakian Sheryl Crissie Robert, 26, who has been with the non-profit organisation for two years, is helping students in Semporna, Sabah, prepare for the exams.

“Most of their parents are fishermen, and many do not have the necessary gadgets to follow lessons, so I use WhatsApp to communicate with them during online classes. 

“Those who do not have the necessary tools will eventually get left behind,” said the Universiti of Malaysia Sarawak graduate.

“During the movement control order, it is doubly hard, as we cannot meet them. Many of them are already struggling to keep up.”

Teaching asynchronously via WhatsApp allows students the flexibility to communicate with teachers at their convenience. 

This is necessary as students may need to take turns using their parents’ electronic devices, which have varying internet connectivity speeds. 

It has been reported that 37%, or more than 1.5 million, of children in Malaysia do not have access to such devices.

TFM recently started distributing laptops to some of its students.

However, the organisation estimates the figure to be higher, especially in predominantly B40 communities, as its teachers have been unable to contact 60% of their students.

Distance-learning experts

Chan Soon Seng, the chief executive of TFM, which was founded in 2010, works closely with the Education Ministry to ensure children from less-privileged communities receive the same education opportunities as their peers who are better off.

“Primarily, we offer opportunities in education by placing outstanding fresh graduates (who do not have education degrees) and young professionals in fully paid positions for a term of two years in national schools throughout Malaysia.”

TFM teachers are placed by the ministry in schools where most of the students are from low-income families.

The schools that TFM is involved in are located in 10 states, namely Sabah, Sarawak, Kedah, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Johor, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Before they are deployed, TFM teachers are trained in several distance-learning scenarios – from tech-savvy students to those with zero internet connectivity. 

There is also a fund from which these teachers can apply for additional resources, such as printing and delivery costs for learning materials.

With its partner, YTL Foundation, TFM has created online lessons for English, mathematics and science that are aligned with the national syllabus.

For primary school students who lack internet, the organisation has started to distribute “learning boxes” filled with materials for creative hands-on activities. These have been sent to students in remote communities in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the Orang Asli in Perak.

The distance-learning guidelines for teachers, students, parents and principals are published on TFMdistancelearning.org.

The organisation is currently recruiting for its 2021 cohort. – The Vibes, January 26, 2021