A TECHNOLOGICAL aquaponic site, Mata Smart Campus Mobile App, Body Mass Index (BMI) corner, an artificial intelligence (AI) science laboratory and a nutritious meal programme are the five new initiatives implemented at SJK (C) Mak Mandin today.
Its headmaster Yap Wai Kwan said the initiatives are part of the School Transformation Programme 2025 (TS25) under the Education Ministry with the aim of increasing the success rate of students and creating quality schools.
“The technological aquaponic site can expose the pupils through the new way of agricultural technology,” Yap said in her speech during the launching ceremony of the initiatives at SJK (C) Mak Mandin in Butterworth today.
“For the Mata Smart Campus Mobile App, it is used as a facial scanner that was designed to record the attendance of pupils and teachers. This is very important in terms of the safety of the pupils because parents will be kept updated on their kids’ whereabouts.
“Through the app, the school can also deliver some important information about its activities directly to the parents.
“For the AI science laboratory, it will serve as a platform for the pupils to learn more about modern technology and as an early preparation to face the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“The nutritious meal programme emphasises the pupils’ health and SJK (C) Mak Mandin is the first school in north Seberang Perai to execute it under the supervision of a district education office.
“The menu will be suggested by the district education health officer and the school will follow it.
“For BMI corner, the pupils can measure their own BMI to make sure that they are on the right path towards a healthy lifestyle.”
She added that the initiatives did not use any of the parents’ money as they were sponsored by some organisations as well as some individuals.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who graced the launching ceremony, said SJK (C) Mak Mandin would play a crucial role in preparing the young generation to face the Fourth Industrial Revolution and to realise the Penang2030 vision.
“This is proven through the launching of the five modern education-based initiatives today which is very beneficial to the pupils.
“At the same time, through these initiatives, they can produce a quality and excellent human capital to make Penang the leading state in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects,” he said.
Also present were state Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang, state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee and Chow’s wife, Tan Lean Kee.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhamad