NEWS: Philips sets up fully sponsored kindergartens

We run everything from maintenance of the kindergartens to providing schoolbooks and fees for teachers.... DR RAJAH KUMAR

Interview with Philips Malaysia CEO

IN 1995, Philips launched its worldwide slogan – ‘Let’s Make Things Better’ – not only for its products and services, but also for the nvironment and community in the different countries where it has its presence.

Philips Malaysia took this commitment a step further by starting its first fully sponsored kindergarten in Batu Arang, elangor, in 1996, followed by another in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, two years later.

Promoting environmental awareness: The children from Tabika Philips – Kemas in Kuala Kangsar checking out the Philips CeTree Mobile Energy Efficient Showhome.

“Education plays an important aspect in the moulding and crafting of one’s character, personality and intellect,” said Philips Group of Companies in Malaysia chairman and CEO Dr Rajah Kumar.

“Kindergartens are seen as protected and secure places for the development of the child’s cognitive capability in communication, interaction and expression of basic analytical skills like problem-solving.

“Both kindergartens offer pre-school education for children whose parents otherwise cannot afford to send them to a kindergarten.”

“We run everything from maintenance of the kindergartens to providing schoolbooks and fees for teachers. To date, over 400 children from both have benefited from the project,”
said Dr Rajah.

The two kindergartens are open to six-year-old children whose families are earning less than RM1,000 a month.

They are given free books, writing materials, uniforms, one nourishing meal daily and a qualified teacher to oversee the development of each child at school.

Tadika Philips Batu Arang currently schools 25 children per year and is managed by the Lions Club of Pudu and Tabika KEMAS-Philips Kampung Senggang has an enrolment of 30 children per year and is managed by KEMAS Perak.

Philips Malaysia has also organised various activities to nurture the children’s minds to be more creative and independent.

One time when the children from the class of 2003 met former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed they handed him a ‘Thank You cum Merdeka’ greeting card upon his retirement as the Prime Minister.

The Philips Book Prize Award was introduced to commemorate the Philips Kindergarten Project’s 10th Anniversary in 2005.

Talented lot: The children from Tabika Philips – Kemas in Kampung Senggang, Kuala Kangsar, performing a Malay dance at the graduation ceremony.

This was intended to inspire and reward students, who had their pre-school education at the two kindergartens, whenever they scored ‘A’s in the national examinations held at both primary and secondary levels.

Graduation ceremonies are held annually for both kindergartens. In recent years the ceremonies have been made more carnival-like with performances by the children with arts and crafts workshops.

The events other highlight is the visit by the Philips CeTree (Centre of Education, Training on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency) Mobile Energy Efficient Showhome.

The CeTree personnel give talks to the children on the importance of energy saving habits and promote environmental awareness.

“What’s important is that the children are taught to be fully aware and why they should look after the environment,” saidRajah.