Watch and learn

Watch and learn

SCHOOL CHILDREN can expect to learn in a more fun and interactive environment following the launch of a partnership for Kampus Astro Bersama Komuniti Sekolah between the Education Ministry and Astro recently.

Under the partnership — a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Astro — the TV operator will supply 10,000 primary and secondary schools, including Teachers’ Activity Centres, in Malaysia with free personal video recording equipment, TV sets, and access to 12 learning channels during the campaign period.

The key objective of the programme is to support the ministry’s goal to offer a holistic learning experience to young students through greater exposure to world-class educational and informative content.

Astro is committed to investing RM30mil over a period of three years to implement this programme in all schools nationwide.
Muhyiddin launching the partnership for “Kampus Astro Bersama Komuniti Sekolah” while Rohana (left), Badri and Education Ministry director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom look on.

Teachers and students residing in remote areas will not be left out, as they will also get to enjoy the same access to the educational TV programmes.

The 12 channels available to the schools are Astro TVIQ, Astro Awani, Astro Ceria, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Science Channel, Animal Planet Channel, The History Channel, Disney, TV1, TV2 and BernamaTV.

To ensure that more students can benefit from the partnership, certain channels have language options like English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese.

Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was invited to launch the partnership in Johor, commended Astro for its efforts in collaborating with the ministry to help develop innovative and inquiring young minds through the programmes on the learning channels.

The event was also attended by Astro chairman Datuk Badri Masri and chief executive officer Rohana Rozhan.

According to Rohana, Kampus Astro Bersama Komuniti Sekolah reflects Astro’s commitment in providing Malaysian children with a holistic approach to learning.

“Astro has made education a priority for all Malaysians.

“Kampus Astro takes on a whole new approach via four main pillars -- Academic Content, Life Skills, On Ground Events and Community Projects -- to make learning fun for Malaysians.

“We are happy to bring Kampus Astro to the schools via Kampus Astro Bersama Komuniti Sekolah, which will see over 5.2mil students from 10,000 primary and secondary schools in Malaysia benefiting from it,” she said.

In partnership with the National Science Centre, the Kampus Astro-on-Wheels community outreach programme is an extension of the Kampus Astro Bersama Komuniti Sekolah.

A 25-foot mobile truck housing learning-based activities will be visiting rural and suburban schools on weekends to support the students’ learning needs.