Sabah gives more than 500 adults second chance to learn reading, writing, counting

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 4 — More than 500 adults in Sabah who missed out on formal education are being given a second chance to master basic reading, writing and counting (3M) skills through the Functional Literacy Education Programme (PLF) organised by the Community Development Department (KEMAS).

Sabah KEMAS director Ahmad Fakhrul Azman Muhammad Radzi said the participants are attending 25 classes this year in urban fringe, rural and remote areas across Kudat, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Keningau, Tenom, Nabawan, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Tawau and Kalabakan.

The programme primarily targets individuals aged between 15 and 65 who have yet to master basic 3M skills, while those outside the age range can also participate based on their needs.

“PLF is among the efforts to eradicate illiteracy, particularly among those who dropped out of formal education at an early stage and are still unable to read, write and count,” he told Bernama.

Participants are identified with the help of community leaders, including village heads, as well as KEMAS teachers on the ground, who provide information on individuals still in need of literacy education.

Before joining the classes, participants sit for a pre-test to assess their initial reading, writing and counting skills. A post-test is conducted upon completion to measure their progress, with more than 70 per cent recorded as achieving an excellent level.

Those who have yet to fully master the three skills can repeat the lessons to ensure they reach the required level.

Ahmad Fakhrul said regular PLF classes run for a year and are conducted by KEMAS-appointed PLF community development officers who serve as trained educators in the targeted areas.

Classes conducted by additional instructors in areas with greater needs run for six months, with three sessions a week.

As part of efforts to recognise participants and encourage them to continue learning, graduation ceremonies are held according to class and district.

A total of 375 participants from 25 classes took part in this year’s ceremonies, which were conducted by groups and according to their respective districts.

“Participants who complete the programme receive certificates as recognition and encouragement to continue learning. We do not know whether they may eventually become interested in pursuing further education,” he said.

Beyond literacy, KEMAS instructors also expose participants to livelihood and entrepreneurship skills through the production of items such as handicrafts, fish crackers and rempeyek, based on local needs.

“We want participants to apply their basic 3M skills in small-scale entrepreneurship so that they can indirectly generate income,” said Ahmad Fakhrul.

As technology advances, PLF participants are also introduced to digital skills to help them keep pace with current developments and reduce the digital divide.

They are guided in using smartphones for everyday tasks, including making clinic appointments through the MySejahtera application and paying bills, as well as promoting their products online

“Efforts to eradicate illiteracy must continue and receive support from all parties so that no one, particularly in Sabah, is left behind in education.

“We do not want them to be easily deceived in their daily affairs because of literacy limitations. Instead, they should be supported until they can become independent and live their lives with greater confidence,” he said. — Bernama