Kota Kinabalu: Project REAL has reached another significant milestone in its mission to improve English literacy among primary school pupils in Sabah, expanding its footprint to 57 schools across 17 districts through the long-standing partnership between the Sabah Education Department (JPNS) and the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl (RCKK Pearl).
State Education Director Datuk Raisin Saidin praised the programme’s sustained impact since its inception.
“Since 2016, this partnership has remained steadfastly dedicated to one critical mission – improving English literacy in our primary schools through Project Real,” he said at the Project Real Inter-district Competition Finals 2026.
His speech was delivered by the Learning Sector Language Unit Senior Assistant Director (KPPK) Nancy @ Aminah Idrus.
He also highlighted the programme’s continue growth, noting that six additional schools in Telupid, Nabawan and Tambunan had recently received books, dictionaries, televisions and other learning materials to establish Project Real corners.
Raisin also acknowledged the programme’s expansion beyond the west coast of Sabah through a collaboration with the Rotary Club of Tawau, which established four Project REAL sites in Tawau and one in Semporna in 2023.
He said JPNS has welcomed plans to further expand the initiative.
“Following our previous meeting in October last year, JPNS supports the RCKK Pearl in actively seeking sponsors to establish Project Real in six more schools in Semporna and one in Tawau.
“The schools have been identified, and JPNS looks forward with high anticipation to welcoming them aboard,” he added.
He commended the organisers for managing the programme’s rapid growth efficiently, referring to the introduction of district-level selection rounds and nine competition zones before the State finals.
Beyond expanding access to English resources, Project Real has also delivered measurable educational outcomes. Raisin revealed that a hybrid review meeting with participating schools in December last year recorded clear improvements in English performance.
He credited success to the collective efforts of school leaders, English teachers, SISC+ (School Improvement Specialist Coaches) officers and Rotary volunteers, adding that Project Real strongly complements Sabah’s Highly Immersive Programme (HIP) in promoting English language learning.
JPNS also expressed its support for the programme’s next phase – extending Project REAL to secondary schools in all 17 participating districts.
“Equipping our secondary students with these excellent literacy materials will significantly enhance their language proficiency. More importantly, it will prepare them for future milestones – especially as they sit for major examinations and eventually pursue tertiary education,” he said.
Raisin concluded by thanking the RCKK Pearl for nearly a decade of commitment to nurturing young readers and confident English speakers across Sabah, describing Project Real as a model partnership between the education department and the community in raising literacy standards throughout the State.
