PTP Gives Back To The Local Community
The Iskandarian
Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), Malaysia’s biggest single port operator and a subsidiary owned by MMC Corporation Berhad (MMC) is fully committed in giving back to the local community especially on education for the younger generation. The pledge was conveyed during the recent closing ceremony of 2016 PTP English Development Programme (the Programme) for Gelang Patah secondary students.
PTP Interim Chief Executive Officer, Steven Yoogalingam said, “There are growing concerns regarding the deteriorating standard of English language proficiency among the younger generation today. The Programme is our genuine effort to tackle the issue and bridge the urban-rural divide in English education. PTP is fully committed and will continue to provide platforms to help the local students to not only improve the students’ proficiency in English language but also alleviating the standard of education for the younger generation, especially within the Gelang Patah community.”
“With the help of Johor Bahru Education Department, PTP initiated and established this Programme in 2013 to equip the students with learning techniques and to improve the students’ performance in examination, to instil confidence to communicate and to provide them with invaluable tips as well to improve the proficiency level of English amongst the participants”, added Steven.
“This year, the Programme consisted of 4 phases – English Tutorial Class, English Boot Camp, English Communication Workshop as well as Mini Choral Speaking Competition”, he added.
The year-long English Development Programme is to give students the opportunity to enhance their understanding and confidence in mastering the English language. It was also designed to improve students’ self confidence in public speaking and their communication skills as well as to create awareness on the importance of English language as a second language.
About 80 students from four secondary school in Gelang Patah participated in the activities such as the tutorial classes, communications’ workshops held once a month and a one-night English language intensive camp. The tutorial classes were handled by an experienced team of teachers appointed by District Education Office (PPD and selected PTP personnel who acted as tutors.
In August 2016, PTP together with Johor English Board Chairperson and AlphaEdu had coordinated a full day English Boot Camp as part of the intensive English Development Programme.
Abid Zikri Bin Rosli, a student from SMK Taman Nusa Jaya said that he is grateful and excited to be part of the programme this year. “Getting the right information and exposure will go a long way in helping students like me to score better during the exams. Apart from that, the programme also helps us improve our mastery in English Language and build confidence when communicating with other parties. ”
Mohd Azham Abd Rahman, one of the selected PTP tutors in the programme said “I feel proud to be one of the selected PTP tutor in this year’s programme. Being a local lad, my participation enables me to engage with the future generation of my community via fun, interactive and active participation from both the tutors and the students.”
PTP has various plans in line for other corporate social responsibility programmes this year including UPSR and SPM motivational camps, educational trip to local universities, distribution of schooling aid, soccer and cricket league and environment based CSR activities such as replanting of sea grass meadow, beach cleaning and mangrove replanting.