KUALA LUMPUR,MALAYSIA - Media OutReach - 25 February 2019 - The 'BEST' Project, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiativepartnership between Direct English Malaysia and PINTAR Foundation, moved intoPhase 2 earlier this month.  

L-R : Pn Rozita Bt Kamarudin (Senior Assistant, SMK Kiaramas), Datin Seri Maneesah Ahmad (Director, Melewar Learning Resources), Tunku Dato' Seri (Dr) Iskandar B. Tunku Abdullah (Group Executive Chairman, Melewar Group), Tan Sri Dato' Seri Utama Arshad Ayub (Chairman, Board of Trustees, PINTAR Foundation), Tuan Aidie B. Jantan (Director, Fully Residential and Excellence Schools Management Division, Ministry of Education) and Pn. Norizan Bt. Daud (Principal, SMK Kiaramas)

'BEST'(Be an Excellent Student) willbenefit 100 Form 4 & 5 students from SMK Kiaramas from now until the end ofthe 2019 school year. Phase 1 was launched in August 2018 and has alreadybenefitted 50 students of the school. The programme will be fully completed inNovember 2020.

Phase2 will see 100 students completing a course based on their proficiency and skilllevel. The intervention programme aims to improve the overall Englishproficiency of participating students, helping them excel in their English SPMexamination. It will include an English Placement Test, tutorial classes,Direct English Learning Packs and Direct English certification which form theintegral part of the Direct English Learning System.

"Werealise the importance of the English language in the global community, andbelieve the 'BEST' Project will better equip our youth to face the increasinglyinternational outlook of the 21^st century," said PINTAR FoundationBoard of Trustees Chairman, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Utama Arshad Ayub, at lastyear's launch. "We want to encourage interest, confidence, mastery, andultimately a love for the English language," he added.

DirectEnglish, under Melewar Learning Resources Sdn Bhd, is fully funding theproject, and has committed a total sponsorship value of RM525,000. "The 'BEST' projectepitomizes the commitment of The Melewar Group, through its company MelewarLearning Resources and Direct English of the UK, to play its role and tocontribute towards the realisation of the many goals of the Ministry ofEducation and the Government of Malaysia to uplift the English proficiency andcompetency level among the students," said Group Executive Chairman of MelewarGroup, Tunku Dato' Seri (Dr) Iskandar Bin Tunku Abdullah.

TuanAidie B. Jantan, Director of Fully Residential and Excellence SchoolsManagement Division, Ministry of Education (representing the Deputy DirectorGeneral of Education Malaysia at last year's launch), acknowledged thesignificant contribution of Direct English: "This partnership between theMelewar Group (Melewar Learning Resources) and PINTAR Foundation plays a hugerole towards realising the nation's aspirations to develop a globallycompetitive, knowledge-based society and to achieve strong economic growth.And, I hope more companies out there will emulate these exemplary efforts," henoted.

Besidesthe tested and proven Direct English Learning System to be embraced in 'BEST',there will be new initiatives introduced in the Phase 2 project delivery at SMKKiaramas. This include the incorporation of the 21st Century Learning Skills in'BEST' classrooms and the introduction of other new features such as 'BEST'Conversation Class by native English speakers, 'BEST' Speakers' Corner, 'BEST'debate team and 'BEST' study tours to enhance students' overall 'BEST'experience.

ABOUT DIRECT ENGLISH

DirectEnglish, which is part of the globally renowned Linguaphone Group, UK, isreputed to be one of the most effective English language programmes today. Theprogramme is based on a unique learning system developed by the internationallyacclaimed education authority on English language, Louis Alexander. In Malaysiaand around the region, Melewar Learning Resources is at the forefront ofdelivering English language training through Direct English. Thousands oflearners, from university students to young professionals to corporateexecutives, from absolute beginners to advanced learners, have since benefitedfrom the trainings conducted by Melewar Learning Resources / Direct English.

For anyenquiries, please contact Mr Philip Lim,General Manager, at philiplim@directenglish.com.myor call 03 -- 2070 1800. You can visit www.directenglish.com.my formore information on Direct English courses.

ABOUT PINTAR FOUNDATION

PINTARFoundation is a not-for-profit organisation, with a vision to inspire the younggeneration to become responsible citizens through the three key tenets ofPromoting Intelligence, Nurturing Talent and Advocating Responsibility (acronymof PINTAR). PINTAR Foundation was formed in 2008 to spearhead theimplementation of the PINTAR Programme, which is a social responsibilityinitiative mooted by Khazanah Nasional Berhad. Working in partnership withGLCs, private corporations, partner NGOs and the Government, PINTAR Foundationstrives to build human capital by reaching out to Malaysian children inunderprivileged communities through its PINTAR Programme, a school adoptionprogramme, which seeks to improve the educational outcomes of students fromunderperforming schools throughout the country.

For mediaenquiries, kindly contact Mas Elati Samani (Senior Officer, Communications) at 017-3185854 or 03-2268 0000,or email mas@mypintar.com.my.Alternatively, please visit www.mypintar.com.my to find outmore about PINTAR Foundation.