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A facilitator monitors the pupils during a brainstorming session.
SERIAN (Aug 25): It was all about fun learning with tons of activities throughout the ‘English in Camp’ programme held at SK Koran here recently.
Organised by the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the programme involved 56 Primary 3 and 4 pupils from 11 schools across Serian, and was aimed at boosting the children’s confidence in communicating in English and at the same time, fostering good emotional intelligence growth and advocating the message of peace.
It was the second camp programme specifically for Sarawak run by South Korean-registered HWPL, following the success of the first edition carried out at SK Riih Daso, also here, in November last year.
The elements of ‘HWPL Peace Education’ was used as the camp’s curriculum, themed ‘My Value, My Influence, and My Role and Duty’.
“This lesson encouraged the children to recognise their emotions, find inner peace, and communicate effectively with others.
“The interactive activities allowed them to see, listen and act in English, helping them express their emotions.
“This holistic approach not only improved their language skills, but also promoted self-consciousness, in line with HWPL’s mission of cultivating a spirit of peace among children,” said Kelly Sim, the Malaysian spokesperson for the organisation.
“It is a programme that sets out to create a supportive and immersive environment where these young learners can express themselves confidently in English and connect more effectively with those around them,” she added.
The initiative, according to Sim, also underscores HWPL’s commitment to empowering the next generation through education that integrates language learning with emotional development.
“The success of ‘English in Camp’ highlights the essential role of educational programmes in shaping the future of our young minds.
“Looking forward, HWPL hopes to expand its collaborations and continue to partner with communities and organisations in creating even more opportunities for growth and learning in the future,” she added.
In his remarks for the camp’s opening ceremony, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus commended the HWPL for coming up with such a programme, which he viewed as enhancing the education policy in Sarawak, specifically the focus on having school-children gain good command of the English language.
“English is currently used to teach Science and Mathematics in both primary and secondary schools in Sarawak, under the dual language programme.
“To me, we must explore possibilities where NGOs (non-governmental organisations) can support government efforts to improve the standard of English among our students.
“That said, NGOs like the HWPL can look into ways of how they can support the government’s efforts in improving the standard of English among our school-children, especially those in the rural areas where they may be at a disadvantage as they are in an environment where opportunities might be limited.
“The NGOs are also in a good position to look into the challenges faced by the children in a community in which English may not be used frequently.”
John also hailed the ‘English in Camp’ programme as being crucial in building the participants’ English-speaking skills through interactive games and teamwork activities.
“NGOs can bring in resources that appeal to students, making English language learning more engaging.
“I like how this programme encourages the ‘think-outside-the-box’ approach in making learning English fun and interesting,” he added.
Later, the assemblyman witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) documents between the HWPL and SK Koran on future educational collaborations.
Junerason (left) and Bong exchange the MoU documents, witnessed by John and Serian District Education officer MK Tiong (right).
Signing on behalf of the primary school was its Junerason Anyew, while the organisation was represented by its director for Malaysia, Bong Yuet Ning.
Earlier in his speech, SK Koran headmaster Junerason Anyew expressed his gratitude to HWPL for this collaboration.
“At this camp, we are not just participants, but also pioneers of our vision.
“This is an opportunity to learn, share and inspire.”
Junerason also highlighted the shared commitment of HWPL and SK Koran in promoting a harmonious and sustainable future.
Meanwhile, M Andrea, an accompanying teacher from SK Bedup, in commending the NGO for holding the camp programme, also suggested that the future editions would involve the teachers more actively.
“We believe that this programme can also enhance the teachers’ skills and experience, and we can bring these valuable lessons back to our respective schools,” said Andrea, who was among eight teachers from other primary schools taking part in the camp.
The participating pupils show a large chart made by them, as a group, during the ‘Understand Your Feelings’ activity at the ‘English in Camp’ programme in SK Koran.
The HWPL advocates the culture of peace through various means such as forums, education, volunteer work and campaigns, as it seeks to contribute to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.
Registered with the Seoul Metropolitan Government of the Republic of Korea in 2013, it is associated with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC) and in special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
With its partner group the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), and affiliate group the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), HWPL is leading an international peace movement with leaders in all walks of life without being limited by national, cultural, or ideological boundaries – in the hope of assuring sustainable peace for future generations.
For more information about the event or HWPL’s initiatives, reach out via [email protected].
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