PROVIDING high-quality education for everyone has always been the priority of the state government, says caretaker Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
He highlighted that the state government is dedicated to offering high-quality education and facilities not only to local students but also to international students.
Yeoh said this during his speech before officiating a cultural exchange programme between SJK(C) Chong Teik and Seoha Elementary School in South Korea at SJK(C) Chong Teik in Balik Pulau today.
“We constantly provide an inclusive and welcoming environment to international students to immerse themselves in a city with diverse culture and heritage, and also a city that fosters creativity.
“For instance, through the state’s agency StudyPenang, we want to promote Penang as a centre of educational excellence.
“We also aim to bring Penang’s education industry to the forefront.
“We recognise the importance of aligning the current education curriculum with the present and future industrial needs, thus ensuring that students remain competitive in the job market in all sectors,” Yeoh said.
Also present were SJK(C) Chong Teik headmaster Teo Keng Lee and Seoha Elementary School vice-principal Park Jongbok.
Teo said the cultural exchange programme will involve 23 students from the school and 21 students and teachers from Seoha Elementary School.
“The objective of this programme is to promote closer ties between Penang and South Korea and to provide a platform for students to interact with each other and learn about the culture of other countries,” he said.
Yeoh commended SJK(C) Chong Teik for taking such an effort to initiate this cultural exchange programme.
“This is also aligned with my vision to bring Penang to the world and bring the world to Penang.
“While our Penang students get to understand more about South Korean culture, the student delegation from South Korea will be able to explore Penang through its food, culture, and friendly hospitality.
“At the same time, students also will not only be able to improve and polish their English-speaking skills, but also to step out of their comfort zones to travel to another country to learn different cultures, especially our student delegation from South Korea.
“Meanwhile, our local students will learn to develop their social skills to be friends with international students, which will increase their self-confidence, self-independence, and maturity,” he said.
Yeoh added that the Penang government looks forward to more meaningful education and cultural exchange programmes in the future.
“To our teachers and students from South Korea today, I wish you all a fruitful and fun field trip and enjoy what Penang has to offer,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar