The students with the new scientific calculators.
KOTA BELUD (Nov 9) “If I were rich, I would buy all of you scientific calculators myself,” Suriantika Zainuddin, a teacher from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Taun Gusi 1, here, would often say to her students.
Little did she know that her wish would someday come true, thanks to the Petronas 50 Dreams initiative.
Recently, her school received 100 sets of scientific calculators from the global energy group, fulfilling Suriantika’s dream for her students and the critical need for the school’s underprivileged students.
“Mathematics is becoming more difficult these days, and it is even harder to teach if the students do not have the right tools. We did have calculators before, but they were few and outdated,” she said, adding that even Science subjects require such tools.
With the modern calculators, Suriantika pointed out even students who struggle with the subject would be able to tackle complex questions, as long as they can master the use of the calculator.
The handing over of the calculators took place at the school recently, where in addition, Petronas also
organised a one-day mathematics workshop for the school’s Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia candidates.
The workshop featured Sabah’s top mathematics teachers, Zulkifle Mohamad and Wirda Diyana Wan Ibrahim.
Suriantika, who has been teaching for 16 years, believed that such initiatives would go a long way in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Sabah.
She said the workshop makes mathematics fun, thus helping to dispel the notion that it was a “tough” subject.
Meanwhile, Petronas Sabah and Labuan Regional Office General Manager Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab said, “As we reviewed the request for 100 scientific calculators, we were moved by the dedication of the teachers here who are eager to support the students. We are thankful to Puan Suriantika for highlighting this to us.
Every challenge can be overcome when we come together. We support this wholeheartedly as it aligns with our commitment to advancing STEM education.”
She said the initiative not only highlighted the commitment of Petronas to empowering local communities but also reinforces the spirit of unity that was so deeply embedded in the Malaysian culture.
“We look out for one another to ensure that no matter where someone comes from, they have the opportunity to flourish. It is through such collective efforts that Malaysians continue to support one another, helping students and communities reach their full potential,” she said.
The Petronas 50 Dreams is among the programmes that have been lined up in conjunction with the company’s 50th anniversary this year.
Under the campaign, the company seeks to fulfil 50 dreams of those in need throughout festive seasons.
In Sabah, besides supporting Suriantika’s dream, Petronas has helped fulfil the aspirations of three other individuals. These include a 10-year-old girl with ovarian cancer who wished to celebrate her birthday with her family by the beach, as well as a woman in Kampung Sonsogon Magandai who hoped to upgrade a village library into a classroom, and a Mount Kinabalu porter who dreamed of obtaining equipment for their hostel in Panalaban which also serves mountain guides at Malaysia’s highest peak.
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