(From left) Kumaresan, Mohd Anuar, Tan and Rabthah.
TAYLOR’S College is collaborating with Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas (SMPK) Vokasional Merbok, Kedah, to set up practical education initiatives that support special needs students.
Through Projek School Enterprise Kedai Dobi OKU and Mock House Training Centre, special needs students will be armed with the knowledge and skills necessary for seamless transition into the workforce, enabling them to thrive beyond graduation.
Taylor’s College campus director Josephine Tan said, “In our mission to become not only the best tertiary institution in the world but also the best for the world, we are committed to infusing purpose and meaning into our curriculum, research and advocacy, with the recognition that education possesses the profound potential to effect positive societal change.”
Education Ministry’s Special Education Division deputy director Dr Mohd Anuar Abdullah and Tan cutting the ribbon at the entrance of Mock House Training Centre.
Taylor’s vision, she added, was to empower teachers and students at primary and secondary levels with the skills, knowledge and purpose for successful transitions to tertiary education and prosperous careers.
Both projects – funded and supported by Taylor’s College – are initiatives championed by Kumaresan Muniandy, a special needs teacher at SMPK Vokasional Merbok.
The projects started after a concerned mother, whose son was one of Kumaresan’s students, voiced concerns regarding her child’s job security after completing secondary school.
Students who undergo this training include low-functioning students who have finished school, special needs workers from Bengkel Daya Sungai Petani and students from the Welfare Department’s community-based rehabilitation programme who are trained for three to six months before being assigned to a hotel for industrial training.
Many special needs students, said Kumaresan, often encountered uncertainty and lacked a clear path forward after completing secondary school.
Training in the hospitality sector, he said, could open doors and equip students with hands-on experience, enabling them to excel in this industry.
“My mission is rooted in the belief that every student, regardless of their challenges, deserves the opportunity to chart a course in life that extends beyond their schooling years,” said Kumaresan, who was also awarded Taylor’s College RISE Educator of the Year 2023.
Through these projects, students receive training in computer skills for tasks such as preparing resumes, drafting job application letters and applying for leave of absence.
They also undergo simulations to prepare for job interviews.
When Kumaresan initially began Mock House Training Centre, he inherited a dilapidated guest house.
With RM10,000 in sponsorship from Taylor’s College, he revitalised the centre with essential items including fridge, kitchen utensils, housekeeping tools and quality linens.
The sponsorship also boosted Projek School Enterprise Kedai Dobi OKU, introducing industrial-grade carpet-cleaning equipment, an industrial vacuum for the dryer machine and expanding the washer-extractor machine’s capacity for maximum impact.
Beyond the financial support, the college has provided SMPK Vokasional Merbok’s library with five computers.
SMPK Vokasional Merbok principal Rabthah Abd Rahim, who nominated Kumeresan, had witnessed the transformative impact of his initiatives firsthand.
“We express our appreciation to Taylor’s College for supporting the initiatives that Kumaresan has brought to life for special needs students, and for sponsoring the computers for students’ use during training,” she said.
“These initiatives have made a significant impact on the lives of these students and we are delighted to wholeheartedly support him in his endeavours as it harmonises perfectly with Taylor’s unwavering dedication for inclusive education for all,” said Tan.
This is the third year that Taylor’s College recognises exceptional educators in Malaysia through RISE Educator Award.
