Empowering rural youth through education: a case study of the Kampung Kundang Ulu initiative

Abstract

This paper illustrates the development and implementation of the Programme Kecemerlangan Akademik Pelajar Sekolah (PKAPS) and discusses the challenges faced. The programme was an innovative education-based community engagement initiative by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia under the Industry and Community Partnership Office (HEJIM). In principal, the programme aimed not only for academic excellence but also for lifelong learning and sustainability. The objective was to develop and implement a programme for the school children that would equip them with the knowledge, skills as well as the motivation and attitude to empower the Kampung Kundang Ulu community. The three-year study involved 371 school students aged 10-17 from one primary school and two secondary schools in Kampung Kundang Ulu. A holistic non-formal approach was employed in this case study in which various activities were carried out with specific aims towards lifelong learning and sustainability. A needs analysis was carried out prior to the development of the programme to identify the students' needs in learning. The activities were then tailored for the students. The activities included learning to read workshops, motivational talks, learning workshops in learning techniques and preparing for examinations, computer integration workshop, language camp and an Islamic Culture Show. Students' motivation and attitude and academic achievement were measured as indicators of change that would lead to empowerment. Findings showed that the students were more motivated and had positive attitude towards learning. The headmaster and principals also reported an increase of about 20% in the national examinations for the school. It is hoped that the students' higher motivation, positive attitude and better academic achievement will enable this young generation to make a change, narrow the gap between the rural and urban and eventually bring the Kampung Kundang Ulu community out of the ring of poverty; thus empowering the community.