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Still short of RM2.5mln for resource centre

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Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee (standing fifth left), accompanied by (from second left) Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development’s permanent secretary Dr Saadiah Abdul Samat, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, Dyslexia Association of Sarawak’s (DASwk) patron Datin Azerina Mohd Arip, and DASwk president Dr Ong Puay Hoon (squatting, right) at a photo call with guests and members of DASwk after the earth-breaking ceremony for the association’s new Learning and Resource Centre in Desa Wira, Batu Kawa yesterday. Photo: Ghazali Bujang

KUCHING: The Dyslexia Association of Sarawak’s (DASwk) still needs RM2.5 million to build its new Learning and Resource Centre in Desa Wira, Batu Kawa here.  

Its president Associate Prof Dr Ong Puay Hoon said so far, the association has only managed to raise less than RM1 million since 2014.  

She said the building which sits on a 1.5-acre land is estimated to cost RM3.5 million. The new centre would have ten classrooms, staff room, office, a multipurpose hall and a hostel to cater to the needs of children from outside Kuching.  

“Our present building which only has two classrooms is not enough to cater for children with dyslexia,” she said in a press conference after an earth breaking ceremony for the new centre yesterday.  

She said as the association has been conducting public awareness, providing assessment, intervention and learning support services, more people were seeking help from the association.  

“In 2017 we have 30 children coming for assessment. For this year we have assessed almost 80 children,” she said.  

Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee (standing fifth left), accompanied by (from second left) Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development’s permanent secretary Dr Saadiah Abdul Samat, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, Dyslexia Association of Sarawak’s (DASwk) patron Datin Azerina Mohd Arip, and DASwk president Dr Ong Puay Hoon (squatting, right) at a photo call with guests and members of DASwk after the earth-breaking ceremony for the association’s new Learning and Resource Centre in Desa Wira, Batu Kawa yesterday. Photo: Ghazali Bujang

She pointed out that a study conducted in 2005 on primary three students from 10 schools in Kuching recorded the prevalence of dyslexia among school children at six per cent compared to the international rate of between five to 15 per cent.

“Depending on the children, some dyslexic children can improve within three months with our structured phonics programme. They can learn from zero to be a hero and the early the better,” she stressed.  

She said the role of the association is to compliment and supplement the education department to help its specialised target group with dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  

“Why are we so passionate about bringing literary into the life of children? It is because we believe literacy is the right of every child.  

“Literacy is the pathway for their wellbeing in school, and in society now and in the future, because their future employment depends on their success in school,” she pointed out.  

An artist impression of the RM3.5-million centre.

Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee who represented Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the earth breaking ceremony, said the increase of children being assessed with dyslexia is not due to an increase in dyslexia problem, but people were more aware of the conditions.  

“People are more aware of it. And therefore, it is very important for teachers and parents to identify dyslexia at an early stage so that the students can receive the right educational approach,” he stressed.  

In helping the association to get the building fund, Dr Annuar said he will inform the chief minister.  

“I also urge members of the public including private sector to contribute to the association so that they can complete the centre soonest,” he said.  

At the event yesterday, DASwk also launched a QR code for Sarawak Pay users where they can make their donation by scanning and donating to help the association achieve its target.  

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