MPBPP Allocates RM5 Mln For Implementation Of PDCA 2025

BUTTERWORTH, June 11 (Bernama) -- The Penang Bumiputera Development Council (MPBPP) has allocated RM5 million this year for the implementation of the Didik Cemerlang Akademik Programme (PDCA) 2025, aimed at enhancing human capital development among Bumiputera students, particularly those from the B40 group.

MPBPP chairman Tan Sri Khalid Ramli said the allocation was the largest since the programme, a key agenda under the council’s Socioeconomic and Human Capital Development Programme, was introduced in 2010.

He said the PDCA initiative had made a significant impact since its implementation, especially in improving students’ academic performance.

“This success is also the result of close collaboration with the Penang State Education Department (JPN) and the unwavering commitment of teachers in educating the students.

“At the same time, we are constantly looking at ways to enhance the programme, in line with the aspirations of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who wants to see greater knowledge acquisition among students,” he told Bernama at the PDCA 2025 Appreciation Ceremony and Launch of the PDCA 2025 Tuition Programme here today.

Elaborating, Khalid said this year’s focus would also be on efforts to attract more students to pursue the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) stream, as Bumiputera participation in the field was still considered low.

In this regard, he said a robotics module would be introduced under the PDCA Tuition Programme starting this month, with similar initiatives to follow, alongside efforts to encourage students to develop innovative products to nurture their interest in the field.

Khalid said the PDCA Tuition Programme, which began in 2011, was developed in collaboration with the JPN to offer specific modules aimed at improving Bumiputera students’ academic performance, particularly in Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics, Science and character development.

He added that a total of 6,576 students from 83 schools, comprising 45 secondary and 38 primary schools, across the state were selected by the JPN to take part in the programme this year.

“The implementation of this programme, among other things, is aimed at ensuring fair access to education for students from low-income groups, as we do not want them to drop out of school,” he said.

--BERNAMA