UTAR-PPD Kinta Selatan’s SINAR 3M 3.0 Explorace enhances literacy and numeracy skills

In a concerted effort to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy skills among primary school pupils, the Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT) collaborated with the Kinta Selatan District Education Office (PPD Kinta Selatan) to organise Program SINAR 3M 3.0 Explorace on 19 June 2025. The event, held at UTAR Kampar Campus, brought together educators and students in a meaningful educational initiative.

The programme aimed to integrate edutainment-based activities into the teaching and learning process to enhance students’ mastery of the 3M skills—Membaca (Reading), Menulis (Writing), and Mengira (Counting). It also fostered creativity, self-confidence, and social skills among students under the Pemulihan Khas (Remedial Education) Programme, which supports pupils requiring additional assistance in basic literacy and numeracy.

Present at the event were Pegawai Khas YB Sandra Ms Kelly Chin representing YB Tan Kar Hing, Deputy Kinta Selatan District Education Officer (Student Development) En Mohd Mirza bin Mohammad, CLT Chairperson Dr Wei Chooi Yi, and Centre for Curriculum Development and Innovation Deputy Head Assoc Prof Dr Zam Zuriyati binti Mohamad.

A total of 197 participants, including primary school pupils, teachers, officers from PPD Kinta Selatan, and UTAR lecturers, took part in the programme. This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Education Malaysia’s core pillars, particularly in closing learning gaps, preventing student dropouts, and strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy competencies among young learners.

The Explorace featured 10 interactive game stations designed to promote cognitive development, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging environment. Pupils were divided into 20 groups of five, each guided by a dedicated primary school teacher to ensure personalised attention and active involvement from every participant.

These combined efforts not only ensured a smooth and impactful event but also reflected UTAR’s strong commitment to community engagement and inclusive education. Beyond academic reinforcement, the programme also emphasised fostering positive student-teacher relationships, enhancing students’ self-esteem, and promoting holistic learning experiences. The collaboration between UTAR, PPD Kinta Selatan, and local schools highlighted the power of collective action in nurturing every child’s potential.

The event concluded with a prize-giving and closing ceremony, celebrating the enthusiasm, effort, and achievements of all participating students. Program SINAR 3M 3.0 Explorace stood as a testament to the importance of school-community-university partnerships in driving educational innovation and inclusivity.

The success of this programme was made possible through the dedication and collaborative efforts of the organising committee comprising Assoc Prof Dr Zam Zuriyati binti Mohamad, Dr Wei Chooi Yi, Dr Chia Mei Si, Pn Suhaili binti Mohd Hussin, Pn Azni Suhaily binti Samsuri, Pn Maisarah Syazwani binti Othman, Pn Siti Subaryani binti Zainol, Pn Tengku Rahimah binti Tengku Arifin, Pn Rizalniyani binti Abdul Razak, Pn Zulnurhaini binti Zolkaply, Ms Nur Hazrini binti Mohd Zahari, and Ms Norhayati binti Md Isa.