Lending a hand

WANTED - native speakers of English who are willing to spend time interacting with pupils in Years Five and Six in Jeli, Kelantan. 

Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed is hoping more native speakers will step forward to volunteer their services at his tuition centre known as Darul Falah or House of Success. 

It was his concern for the pupils' lack of English proficiency in the schools around Jeli that led Mustapa to set up the centre 10 years ago. 

“Interacting with foreigners will be a new experience for the pupils as they only see them on television,” he said, at his home in Bukit Tunku, Kuala Lumpur, after hosting a thank-you dinner for a group of Alice Smith School staff and students as well as officials from other agencies and public universities. 

Mustapa handing a certificate of appreciation to Iman Nicole. Looking on are Alice Smith School staff and students, as well as officials from agencies and public universities.

Located within the minister's residence in Jeli, the centre originally catered to Year Six pupils. 

A year later, classes were started for those taking PMR and SPM. 

Since its inception in 1996, the tuition centre has helped over 3,000 pupils. Pupils are also taught Science and Mathematics, originally in Bahasa Malaysia but now in English. 

The classes, which are free, are held on Friday and Saturday (the Kelantan weekend) in two sessions, morning and afternoon, and pupils are provided with breakfast, lunch and tea. 

“My wife (Datin Khamarzan Ahmed Meah) and I spend time with the pupils once a month to motivate them further,” Mustapa adds. 

He thanked the Alice Smith School delegation for spending time with the pupils in Jeli. 

A volunteer teacher at Darul Falah, Rohida Mohamed, said the pupils often asked when they could meet the students from Alice Smith School again. 

“Although they are a little shy in the beginning, it is nice to see them get along so well,” she added.  

There are now 600 pupils from Years Five and Six at the centre. 

Alice Smith School Interact Club president Iman Nicole Denney Nu'man Mohammad Brown said one of her greatest achievements is when she and her fellow students spent time at the tuition centre. 

“It was obvious how serious the pupils were about improving their English proficiency as many had travelled many miles to attend the classes. 

“It made us more determined to help,” she added.