Rotary launches Sabah Statewide Bag2School 3.0 to support B40 students

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 18): Yayasan Kelab-Kelab Rotary Malaysia, in collaboration with the nine Rotary Clubs of Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau, has launched the Sabah Statewide Bag2School 3.0 programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kokol, aimed at supporting B40 students across Sabah through a coordinated, statewide effort.

As the Lead Club, Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl is  driving the initiative together with the other participating clubs in Sabah, namely Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl, Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu, Rotary Club of Luyang, Rotary Club of Penampang, Rotary Club of Likas Bay and Rotary Club of Kinabalu Sutera in Kota Kinabalu; Rotary Club of Tawau and Rotary Club of Tawau Tanjung in Tawau; as well as Rotary Club of Sandakan North in Sandakan. Collectively, the clubs will distribute 1,064 school bags to identified B40 schools statewide.

The launch was attended by Tuan Haji Awang Jaya bin Awang Damit, representing the Director of the Sabah State Education Department (JPNS), reflecting strong collaboration between Rotary and state education authorities.

During the event,  276 school bags were distributed to B40 students from three schools — 174 bags to students of SK Kokol, 31 bags to SK Poring-Poring and 71 bags to SK Tombongon.

The organisers expressed their appreciation to the host school, SK Kokol, as well as SK Poring-Poring and SK Tombongon, for their close cooperation and support in ensuring the smooth implementation of the programme.

Speaking at the launch, Datin Dr Jeanette Tambakau, President of Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl, said the initiative was more than a donation exercise.

“Bag2School is about reducing barriers to education and giving children from B40 families a stronger start to the school year. Through collaboration between Rotary Clubs, schools and education authorities, we hope to create a meaningful and lasting impact on our students,” she said.

Datuk Zainie Abdul Aucasa, Chairman of Yayasan Kelab-Kelab Rotary Malaysia (YKKRM), said the programme demonstrated the strength of collective action.

“When Rotary Clubs across districts and regions unite with educators and partners, we are able to extend support where it matters most. Education remains a key pillar in building resilient communities,” he said.

The programme is implemented in collaboration with YKKRM and the Sabah State Education Department, in line with Rotary’s global Unite for Good initiative.