On Monday, 3rd October 2022, Al Fitrah Foundation Founder and Trustee, Puan Sri Norma Hashim and her team visited Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas (SKPK) Jalan Batu in Kuala Lumpur. Ten sets of Islamic braille literature were handed over to the school’s library.
Between mid-October and early-November 2022, Al Fitrah will be contributing another 48 sets of braille books, including regular reference materials and story books.
*Additional Braille Material
Puan Azliana, Student Affairs Senior Assistant and three teachers welcomed the Al Fitrah team and took them for a walkabout at the resource centre. The teachers explained about the lack of reading materials in braille.
This point was taken by Puan Sri Norma when she said that Al Fitrah might be able to help the school. As soon as they provide the list of suitable academic and story books, Al Fitrah’s team can start to source for the books, transcribe them to braille and publish the books. The process would take quite some time but the plan is to assist the school to stock up their library so the children will have new books to read.
The teachers were pleased to receive the first batch of braille books and look forward to filling up the library bookshelves in the coming future.
Puan Azliana expressed her heartfelt appreciation for Al Fitrah Foundation’s effort and concern for the visually impaired community.
*Classrooms and interaction
The tour continued with a visit to Year 4, 5, and 6 classes. The students were busy with their lessons and were interactive in class. There is a maximum of seven students per class. This allows teachers to give more personal attention and assist students in their studies.
*Award Winning Student
One attentive and exceptionally smart student stood out in the Year 6 group, Amir Harith. He is a very positive and confident lad. The team were told that Amir Harith, has won the Tokoh Nilam accolade for five consecutive years including 2022. To win this prestigious award, a participant would have to read a minimum of 100 books and be good in both academic and extra–curricular activities, such as sports, athletics, student activities etc. Amir Harith is well read (he has read more than 200 books) and excels in many areas and ticked all the boxes in the criteria section. Bravo Amir Harith!
Before moving on to the next agenda, brother Majid, Al Fitrah’s Editorial Department lead, was asked to advise the students and he said, ‘Study hard so you can become a successful generation in the future’.
*Weekly Quran Lessons
The last stop was the Tasmiq class where Year 1 to 6 students assembled for their Quran reading lessons. Due to a shortage of Quran teachers, all students gather in one class for their sessions.
Puan Sri Norma then confirmed that Al Fitrah would sponsor the weekly classes via an Ustaz or Ustazah. These lessons will be taught (after school) for an hour a week. Both teams will start planning and as soon as it is feasible, the lessons can begin. Inshaa Allah.
Before leaving, Amir Harith recited several verses from the Quran for the guests. Alhamdulillah, it was a productive visit.
*About the school
SKPK is a special primary co-ed school for visually impaired and short-sighted students founded in 1988. There are 39 students and 22 teachers. It is a well-established school with students from various races aged four to fourteen. They begin from Kindergarten Class to Year 6. Students who are weak and require special attention, are given remedial classes. The syllabus used is the same as normal schools. Only the teaching and learning methods are different.
Visually impaired students use braille, where all textbooks have been copied into braille editions, while sighted students, use large print textbooks published from regular textbooks. They also use study aids such as magnifying lenses and 'close circuit TV' to help them in their studies. These students also sit the same exams as other (UPSR) Year 6 students. During the general and school exams, they are allocated an extra half hour to complete their exam papers.
