In a significant step toward addressing educational inequality in Sarawak, the Community Development Department (Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat, KEMAS) under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development continues to champion holistic community development, with a particular emphasis on literacy enhancement in rural areas. Its efforts are rooted in a vision of empowering communities not only through access to basic education but by equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge to improve their socio-economic well-being and participate actively in society.
A cornerstone of this commitment is the Illiteracy Eradication Programme, targeting adults in rural Sarawak. Unlike conventional approaches to literacy, the programme promotes functional literacy, focusing on practical competencies that support day-to-day living. Participants are encouraged to apply literacy in real-life contexts—reading labels, managing personal finances, understanding official documents, or communicating meaningfully with family members. This shift from basic to functional literacy aims to foster greater autonomy, inclusion, and quality of life among adult learners.
As part of this ongoing initiative, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) continues to support KEMAS through academic collaboration and community engagement. A key contributor is Dr Dayang Kartini Abang Ibrahim, Fellow at the NextGen Research and Academic Innovation (NEXTRA) and a senior lecturer in adult education at the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development (FCSHD). Dr Dayang Kartini was recently invited by KEMAS to participate in an orientation workshop for LEADS and PLF teachers, marking her fourth engagement with the programme.
The LEADS (Literacy for Adult Development and Skills) and PLF (Pusat Literasi Fungsional) programmes are part of KEMAS’s broader effort to strengthen educational delivery mechanisms across Sarawak. These programmes aim to enhance teaching quality and community development by equipping local educators with contemporary pedagogical tools aligned with lifelong learning and education goals for sustainable development.
Dr Dayang Kartini’s involvement has been instrumental in shaping the workshop content and training modules. Her sessions focus on capacity building for kindergarten teachers and community instructors, offering guidance on effective literacy instruction, learner-centred strategies, and integration of local cultural contexts in adult education. The training encourages educators to view literacy not as a standalone skill, but as part of a broader developmental framework encompassing social, economic, and emotional well-being.
Under the NEXTRA platform, this collaboration reflects a research-driven, practice-oriented approach to education. NEXTRA’s mission is to elevate teaching, learning, and community engagement through innovation and applied scholarship. As part of its outreach model, NEXTRA prioritises real-world impact, ensuring that academic expertise is translated into tangible benefits for local communities.
The partnership between UNIMAS and KEMAS underscores the university’s role as a facilitator of inclusive development. By contributing research-based insights and supporting the professional development of educators across rural Sarawak, UNIMAS advances the national agenda on literacy while reinforcing its own commitment to regional impact.
Through this collaboration, participants of the Illiteracy Eradication Programme are not only gaining the ability to read and write but also the confidence to engage meaningfully with their environment, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to the social fabric of their communities. As rural educators are trained to deliver more responsive and impactful instruction, the long-term sustainability of the programme is strengthened.
Ultimately, this initiative exemplifies how university-community partnerships can serve as catalysts for systemic change. By aligning policy, practice, and academic research, the programme represents a shared commitment to bridging the literacy gap and building a more resilient and inclusive Sarawak.
Contributed by Dr Dayang Kartini Abang Ibrahim, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development