STATE EXCO SPONSORS NEWSPAPERS FOR TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS

STUDENTS at two secondary schools in Ledang will be able to improve their command of English and keep abreast with current affairs thanks to a weekly sponsorship of the New Straits Times.

State Unity, Human Resources, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman M. Asojan has contributed 3,100 copies of the newspaper to SMK Bukit Gambir in Ledang and SMK Sagil in Tangkak.

The contribution, which included the Minda Pelajar pullout, is being distributed at the two schools every Tuesday.

The newspaper sponsorship, which began in March, ends in October.

SMK Bukit Gambir principal Abdullah Baba was thankful for Asojan's contribution and hoped that the move would help students to improve their vocabulary.

"Previously, there had been no such sponsorship at the school. There is usually one copy of the NST which is shared by students at the school library.

"Now, all 1,700 students will have a chance to read the NST and improve their language skills," said Abdullah.

He hoped that more non-governmental organisations and corporate bodies would contribute teaching aids such as newspapers as it would greatly motivate the students.

"The students enjoyed reading the newspapers and like to be updated on the latest news.

"The teachers also use the newspaper for their classroom activities," said Abdullah.

He said the state government had also made another contribution last month when it sponsored copies of English newspapers to schools in the Ledang district.

SOURCE: JOHOR STREETS, NST, 3 AUGUST 2009