MarchLilypad2014_fullcompile

However, this is a challenge when students don’t have
computers at home to study with. “I do whatever I can
to help them,” said Phang. “Once, after school, as I
was getting into my car to drive home, a student
approached me and asked if she could use the
computer lab to complete her homework. Her teacher
had assigned her homework on Frog and she didn’t
have a computer at home. I got out of my car and
opened the lab. If I can open up more access to
technology for a child, I will do it. But there is always
more that can be done.”
A turning point for the school came in of 2014, when
Datin Kathleen Chew, Programme Director of YTL
Foundation, was invited by Teach for Malaysia to
teach a class in SMK Puchong.
“WHAT
MOTIVATES
ME IS KNOWING THAT
Kids Can
Change.
THAT’S WHY I HAVE
BEEN A TEACHER FOR
31 YEARS.”
She was surprised to find the classroom in a terrible
state of disrepair. Chairs and tables were broken and
vandalised. Window panes were missing, which meant
that outside noise spilled into the classroom. She was
also surprised to find that the school was very active in
promoting the use of Frog and technology despite the
challenges.
Wanting to help, YTL Foundation enlisted help from
other divisions within the YTL Group and set to work
transforming one of the classrooms into a colourful,
comfortable, air-conditioned environment for learning
and collaboration.
“I was very touched that YTL wanted to come and do a
classroom makeover,” said Phang. “I felt that all my
efforts in trying to implement technology in the
school were finally bearing fruit.”
When they go for
job interviews,
kids who don’t have
exposure to
TECHNOLOGY
will be left behind.
This is the reality we
have to face.
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