Semporna District Education Office Highlights the Potential of Special Needs Students

SEMPORNA – The Special Needs Students Employability Carnival at the Semporna district level provided an opportunity for these students to showcase their talents and gain early exposure to the working world.

Semporna District Education Office (PPD) Officer, Rozita Anjung, said such programs are highly significant in giving exposure to special needs students, helping them build self-confidence and acquire basic skills that will benefit them after leaving school.

“As a group with special needs, they too deserve attention and opportunities to build their capabilities so they can become independent in the future,” she said during the opening ceremony of the carnival.

Meanwhile, Assistant Principal of Special Education at SMK Bum-Bum, Mohammad Isnin Ahmad, stated that the program was carefully planned to raise public awareness, especially within the Bum-Bum Island community, about the roles and potential of special needs students.

“This program not only benefits the participants but also strengthens public understanding of the importance of inclusive education and the opportunities offered through SMK Bum-Bum’s Special Education Integration Program (PPKI),” he said.

Also present were SMK Bum-Bum Principal, Arifin Musidi, and several principals and headmasters from schools in the Semporna district that offer the PPKI program.

The carnival also included participation from headmasters of primary schools that serve as feeder schools to SMK Bum-Bum, further reinforcing collaboration to strengthen special education in the district.

Program activities included solo singing, Igal-Igal dance performances, aerobics (aerodance), cake decoration, traditional food cover weaving (anyaman tudung saji), and a digital poster competition. Winners of each category received cash prizes and certificates of appreciation.

The event received strong support from various agencies and strategic partners, including the Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre (PDK), KEMAS Department, Bank Rakyat, Coop Bank, Agro Bank, and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that set up exhibition booths throughout the carnival.

The Pulau Bum-Bum Dental Health Clinic also participated by offering free dental check-ups for the local community and school residents.

-Agency