Migrant Children Learning Centre

ds

Tawau : The Catholic Social Teaching recognizes that every human being has a right to life, the fundamental right that makes all other rights possible, and a right to access to those things required for human decency-among them is education. Responding to that, Holy Trinity Church in close collaboration with the Indonesian Consulate had set up a Learning Centre for the migrant children in July 2011.

Francis Kamuntah flanked by lady staff 

Francis Kamuntah, the head teacher of the school in an interview this morning, Wednesday 23rd May 2012 disclosed that there are currently 203 pupils with eight teaching staff and three non-teaching staff. The classes are from elementary 1 - 6 occupying four classrooms in the basement of the hall and another two in the upper floor of the parish canteen. The curriculum is based on the education system of Indonesian and the pupils are coached to sit for the 'PAKETA' exam, qualifying them to proceed to middle school (Sekolah Menengah Pertama) back home.

Yuliana Ritan, one of the teaching staff who hails from Nunukan has this to share.'I am happy that the Church and the Indonesian Consulate had together set up the learning centre to provide education to so many migrant children. Otherwise, they will grow up to be illiterate.'

The teachers have been given some basic training in psychology and methodology by volunteers from Indonesia. Further training will be arranged in the near future to upgrade their competency.