2011/11/02
By Ahmad Fairuz Othman
Some 130 teachers from schools in Johor and Malacca were feted at Tanjung Puteri Golf Resort
SOME 130 teachers from schools in Johor and Malacca that subscribe to New Straits Times (NST) and Berita Harian (BH) were recently given a treat at Tanjung Puteri Golf Resort in Pasir Gudang.
The New Straits Times Press (NSTP) Teacher's Appreciation Day 2011 was to thank the schools for using the newspapers as teaching aids.
NSTP circulation department general manager for business development Salmah Hanim Hares said the newspapers helped in the learning process.
She said the newspapers were useful as teaching aids in class, while the educational pullouts provided examination tips, revision exercises and explanations of the school syllabus.
This would, in the long run, help to strengthen the country's educational system, she said.
For many years, teachers have taken part in programmes organised by Berita Harian's education unit and NST's Newspaper-in-Education (NIE), which utilise the newspapers as a source reference.
NSTP publishes various weekly supplements focused on different levels of education. Berita Harian offers Skor, Didik and Varsiti.
Salmah said these three supplements were well received by teachers and students, who find them helpful in preparing for examinations.
NST's educational sections such as Learning Curve and Niexter provide the latest information, features and events related to education. Some of these sections have articles penned by school students.
These pullouts inform the reader of what's happening in schools and higher learning institutions in Malaysia and overseas.
The NIE concept dates back to the 18th century in the state of Maine in the United States, where it was used to promote civic awareness among students as well as develop their reading and life skills.
It was New York Times that first put the NIE concept into practice in the 1930s. Since then, 700 newspapers worldwide have adopted it.
SK Kangkar Pulai 2 teacher Rabiatul Adawiyah Abdul Rahim, 33, said Didik had enabled many of her pupils to be well-prepared for their examinations.
"Since the school subscribed to BH last year, we have noticed an improvement in academic achievement among pupils. They are able to answer their examination questions better, and we notice better achievement, particularly in essay-writing," she said.
SK Sri Laksana teacher, Halimah Mat Sarip, 54, said the school had noted an almost 80 per cent increase in academic achievement following the usage of educational supplements under the NSTP group of newspapers.
She said her pupils were now able to better understand lessons in English and Bahasa Malaysia grammar.
"Previously, many pupils were less skilled in grammar, but now they are more confident, especially during conversations."
The teachers' appreciation day programme included an aerobic session, games, karaoke and special stage performances. The event received support from Dutch Lady, Seba Med, Hot Perfume, Zymtechworld and Maybank.
Also present were Johor NSTP marketing assistant manager Shazli Aghus, Malacca marketing assistant manager K. Gunasegaran, and Johor Education Department assistant director (English) S. Shanmuganathan.
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