SC Asia & Oceania, Kuala Lumpur, and SC Malaysia donated computers to a public school, SMK Taman Klang Utama, providing a special education integration program to special needs students.
Recently, we officiated the opening of a computer lab at a public school that has a Special Education Integration Division. We donated 10 computers used to set up their computer lab through a partnership with Rentwise Sdn Bhd, which remanufactured the computers.
This school was selected to receive our remanufactured computers because about 65% of its students are from families in the B40 category, which means they are in the lower 40% of Malaysian household income. Some of the parents could not even afford to pay for the Parents-Teachers Association’s fee of MYR80 per year per family. Education is definitely one of the ways to combat poverty.
While the grand theme of 100SEED is Quality Education, we believe that we have achieved some of our long-term goals in addressing some of the six key social issues, albeit in a small way, by donating our old computers. For example, we remanufactured the computers, which is related to reducing carbon footprint under the circular economy and mitigation of climate change. Also, we gave students an equal opportunity to be exposed to the digital world and receive education, which falls under respect for human rights and provision of education, and hopefully will eventually improve their living standards.
This school not only provides education to hundreds of mainstream students but also special needs students. This program was established in January 1998. Its objective is to educate and integrate its 91 special needs students with the other mainstream students.
These special needs students consist of those with Down Syndrome, autism, intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, deafness, physical handicaps, and others. They study academic subjects and skills according to designed lesson plans, including multimedia principles. They are also very actively involved in co-curriculum activities and sports, and some of the students have received awards related to information technology.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony in July 2022 to officiate the opening of the computer lab.
Special needs students using our donated computers in the computer lab. They were asked to design “My Dream Digital Lego.”
To celebrate the opening of the computer lab, three employees including Mr. Katsuhito Horiguchi, Managing Director of SC Malaysia, visited the school on July 28. We were honored to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony, after which we toured the classroom and other areas to communicate with the students. In the school principal’s speech, she mentioned that she was astounded and emotionally touched by our donation of computers. Incidentally, the school recently won the title of “Digital School” at the national level. This further inspires her and her team to enhance the IT facilities in the school so that the students’ potential and talent can grow.
When I first arrived at the school, I saw bright faces of children and teachers. It was such a welcoming sight. The school we supported this time is gearing up for their special needs digital syllabus teaching to be in line with current needs. We sincerely hope that our computers can effectively support their learning process.
When we were there, we could see that these special needs students were able to learn with proper guidance. We watched them using the computers as well as performing other activities, like cooking. We believe that they can assimilate into society and excel in their work with the opportunities given. It was a touching moment for us that we were able to contribute to society in a small way, especially as it involved children’s education.
Katsuhito Horiguchi, Managing Director of Sumitomo Corporation Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
Attentively watching a special needs student design his masterpiece on the computer.
February 2023
