Kuala Lumpur, 27 November 2014: Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM), through its PIDM Project MoneySmart Education Programme (PIDM Education Programme) has successfully reached out to all national secondary schools in Malaysia since it was first introduced in 2010. The Education Programme aims to enhance financial awareness and literacy levels among students in secondary schools, colleges and universities.
“In just over four years, we have managed to reach out to over 2,000 national secondary schools, covering both West and East Malaysia. This achievement has been made possible through our collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Department of Higher Education, which has been very supportive of all our efforts,” said Ms Lim Yam Poh, PIDM Executive General Manager and General Counsel.
“I am also pleased to share that the PIDM Education Programme has been recognised by the MOE, and PIDM has been certified as a “Partner in Co-curriculum”,” added Ms Lim.
“One of the main components of the PIDM Education Programme is the PIDM Project MoneySmart School Challenge. This is a yearly event that encourages students to apply what they have learnt to promote financially savvy habits and practices in their schools and the surrounding communities.
“Students work as a team to spearhead projects, and they learn to communicate and interact effectively and develop higher-order thinking skills, building their self-confidence while enhancing practical skills.
This year marks the third year of the PIDM MoneySmart School Challenge, and year after year more schools are participating in this competition. Team projects are judged based on how they generate financial awareness, their creativity as well as the quality of their final report and photographs.
The School Challenge is unique this year with the participation of SM Pendidikan Khas Vokasional Indahpura, Kulaijaya, Johor, a special education vocational secondary school that comprises students with hearing and visual impairment as well as learning disabilities.
“Although PIDM did not introduce a separate category for special education schools in this competition, SM Pendidikan Khas Vokasional Indahpura competed alongside all other regular schools in Malaysia and made it to the top 5, proving that with determination and commitment, there are no limitations to achievements if you are determined to achieve what you have set out to do. Kudos to SM Pendidikan Khas Vokasional Indahpura,” Ms Lim added.
“Kolej Vokasional Betong, Sarawak emerged as the champion of the PIDM Project MoneySmart School Challenge 2014 to win the top prize of RM15,000. With the theme “Teknologi Merentas Sempadan”, the team engaged the full involvement of their schoolmates, parents and the local community in Betong, Sarawak through their project and activities to promote financially savvy habits.
The first runner up went to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Skudai, Johor with their project theme “Cakna Wang” winning RM10,000 while the third prize of RM7,000 went to Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas Vokasional Indahpura, Johor with their project entitled “Berkemahiran Menjana Pendapatan”. The fourth and fifth prize went to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bakti, Pulau Pinang and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Telok Datok, Selangor respectively. In addition, each finalist team received two desktop computers for their schools.
“The five finalist teams received their prizes in Kuala Lumpur today at the PIDM Education Programme Awards and Recognition Ceremony 2014 officiated by the Director, Co Curriculum and Arts Division, Ministry of Education, Puan Hajah Rozainum Binti Ahmad.
Meanwhile, the PIDM Project MoneySmart Campus Challenge 2014 award ceremony was also held at the same event. The Campus Challenge is a competition for tertiary students to showcase their creativity through videos and songs which highlight the importance of being financially savvy.
The Best Video Category was won by Nur Hidayah Binti Abdullah from Akademi Seni dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA), who walked away with RM5,000 in cash, with the winning video entitled “Maafkan Aku Abah”, while the Best Song Category was won by Nur Hasmira Binti Abu from Universiti Tun Abdul Razak, winning a cash prize of RM3,000 with a lively and catchy number entitled “Simpanan Masa Hadapan”.
The event also saw 16 teachers being recognised as Best PIDM Ambassadors for their contributions in guiding their students in organising financial literacy programmes at their schools.
For more information about this press release, kindly contact:
Hasina Mohamed, Acting General Manager, Communications and Public Affairs Division (Tel: 03-2173 7462; 012-347 5014 Email: hasina@pidm.gov.my)
Juli Murshidah, Manager, Communications and Public Affairs Division (Tel: 03-2173 7465; Email: juli@pidm.gov.my)
For further information: