University–School Collaborative Programme Focuses On Pupils’ Academic Performance And Infrastructure Development

Alor Setar - In line with the aspiration of the Education Minister to make schools for the community and universities for society, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) launched the University-School Collaborative programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Pinang, Kepala Batas.

 UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dato' Dr Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghani said the programme organised in collaboration with the Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education (KPM) would focus on improving the academic performance of students in selected schools namely SK Bukit Pinang, particularly those who would be sitting for the up-coming Primary School Achievement Test (Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR).

According to him, he did not want the program to be a 'one-off' programme conversely there should be gradual improvement from time to time, especially with regard to student academic performance. 

He said to be successful required sacrifice and high level of discipline as well as the passion for learning; parents must also play an important role in ensuring their children's success.

"Parents are the backbone of enhancing the academic performance of these children and they cannot leave the responsibility entirely to the school or teachers.

 "In addition, I ask the teachers in this school to cooperate with the management of the school because with a high level of commitment and enthusiasm for success, SK Bukit Pinang will surely achieve the desired result," he said at the University-School Collaborative Programme Inaugural Ceremony cum Meet the Parents of Year Six UPSR Meeting.

 Prof. Dato' Dr. Ahmad Bashawir said UUM was also ever willing to assist the school in providing teaching assistance to students in SK Bukit Pinang, especially in Mathematics and English Language.

According to him, the frequency of intensive coaching carried out will indeed help Six Year students of the school achieve outstanding results in their UPSR.

 He also expressed his confidence that SK Bukit Pinang would become an A grade school in the next two years in line with the improvement in students' academic performance in UPSR.

 "We want to ensure that the achievement of our students continues to improve in line with the government's desire to see the nation’s quality of education is at its highest, therefore the facilities and infrastructure of the school must be accentuated," said Prof Dato' Dr Ahmad Bashawir who also presented contributions to Year Three twin students who are orphans from SK Terap, Kulim - Muhamad Farhan Alif and Muhamad Farhan Akif Abu Hasan.

Meanwhile, Headmaster of SK Bukit Pinang, Mr Hashim Ibrahim was very grateful that the school was selected for the University-School Collaborative programme.

He said although the school's infrastructure was in poor condition but as a school with the potential to thrive in the future, they were still selected by the MOE and UUM to participate in the programme. 

He said the bilateral cooperation would focus on improving academic performance and assistance in infrastructure restoration. 

A total of 20 public universities and 38 schools are involved in the University-School Collaborative Programme. UUM has been entrusted to assist two schools namely SK Bukit Pinang (89 pupils) and SK Terap (38 pupils) with their pupils sitting for the 2019 UPSR. 

Various plans have been formulated by UUM for the UPSR 2019 programme since July, including the Art Therapy programme and motivational programmes including the Self-Improvement Visit in conjunction with the UUM 2019 CONVO Fiesta in October. 

In addition, to inspire and motivate Year Six pupils of SK Bukit Pinang students to achieve outstanding results in the UPSR, the Vice-Chancellor promised to reward students who achieved 6A results in the 2019 UPSR exam. The reward promised come in the form of flight tickets and accommodation in Kuala Lumpur with parents in hopes of making the pupils work hard.