JITRA, July 4 — Yayasan Pelajaran MARA (YPM) has allocated a total of RM2.1 million to implement the Tuisyen Pintar YPM @KPLB, a smart tuition programme specifically for rural students, this year.
Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the programme was implemented at 60 selected tuition centres nationwide, with the participation of 6,000 students.
“This effort is mobilised to ensure that students from rural areas are not left behind, and get access to free guidance as well as the best academic exposure.
“We provide this tuition free of charge to Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates, especially students from low-income families in rural areas who have a moderate and weak level of academic proficiency,” he said.
He said this in his speech, which was read by the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB)’s deputy secretary-general Mas Rizal Mohd Hilmi, at the launch of the Tuisyen Pintar YPM @KPLB 2022 here today.
Also present were YPM chairman, Datuk Razman Yaacob, and chief executive officer, Mohd Amran Mohd Ariffin.
Tuisyen Pintar YPM @KPLB is YPM’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, in collaboration with MARA Junior Science College (MRSM), state education departments and district education offices (PPD), which were appointed as the co-coordinators.
Mahdzir said since its implementation in 2016, the programme had benefited 80,581 rural students, and had successfully improved their academic performance.
He added that 100 students will join each tuition centre, and they will receive direct guidance from qualified teachers from the ministry or MARA who have been identified by the PPD.
“They will be taught learning techniques and answering questions, as well as motivational sessions involving both students and parents.
“With the success of the smart tuition programme in previous years, we have received attention from companies that have recognised the initiative by expressing their intention for sponsorship for 2022,” he said.
Among the companies involved are Maybank Islamic Bhd, Celcom Axiata Bhd, Yayasan Khazanah, Gas Malaysia Bhd, and Ambank Islamic.
“YPM always opens opportunities to companies, agencies and individuals to jointly assist in the development of education, especially for rural students,” he said.
