KOTA KINABALU: The Eco World Foundation rewarded 12 UPSR and five PT3 top scorers from Sabah during its 2019 Excellence Awards Ceremony here.
Its chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye commended the tremendous effort and focus invested in the foundation’s student aid programme (SAP) in the 2019 UPSR and PT3 examinations.
“The UPSR and PT3 Excellence Awards are held annually to reward and recognise the students for working hard to overcome the odds and excel in their UPSR and PT3 exams.
“We are proud of their achievements, and this spurs the Foundation further in its commitment to providing access to education for those in need,” said Lee in a statement.
Each of the UPSR students also received a bilingual dictionary, a motivational book along with cash prizes while the PT3 pupils received cash prizes between RM250 and RM500.
Two teachers in Sabah were also presented with the special Teachers’ Awards in recognition of their commitment in guiding the students towards academic excellence.
At the same time, SK Stella Maris was presented with the Best School Award for its steadfast support of the SAP. The award comes with a cash prize of RM10,000.
“The main focus of the Eco World Foundation is to render assistance to students in need and provide them the opportunity of a brighter future regardless of race or creed.
“Our programme takes a holistic approach in providing for each student’s educational needs, from equipping them for the new school year and arranging meals in schools, to paying their school and tuition fees,” he said.
To date, SAP has been providing financial assistance to 3,000 underprivileged primary, secondary and tertiary students yearly, in hopes of assisting them to achieve their full academic potential.
Students from primary and secondary school levels receive financial assistance of between RM1,000 to RM1,500 per year whereas tertiary level students receive between RM5,000 to RM20,000, depending on their courses.
The Foundation has so far also helped 67 students pursue tertiary education which 36 of them have graduated with degrees from institutions of higher learning and have joined the workforce.
“Education is the most important form of investment. By investing in our children, we are investing in the future.
“As part of the SAP, the Eco World Foundation also provides motivation and support to both students and their parents," Lee said.