LABUAN — Sekolah Menengah Agama Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (SMA MAIWP) Labuan is strengthening its commitment to student development through the Kem Suluhkan Sinar (Mukhayyam Tanwirul Khuluq) programme, aimed specifically at at-risk students.
The intervention programme, held recently at the Co-Curriculum Centre of the Labuan Federal Territory Education Department (JPWPL), focuses on developing students’ character, discipline, resilience, leadership, motivation and sense of social responsibility.
The programme adopts a comprehensive approach by building a support ecosystem through strategic collaboration with various government agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Road Transport Department (JPJ), Labuan Correctional Centre, Social Welfare Department (JKM) and National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).
The multi-agency involvement reflects SMA MAIWP Labuan’s commitment to ensuring that at-risk students are not viewed solely through the lens of their mistakes or shortcomings, but are given opportunities to identify their potential, build inner strength and plan for a more positive future.
The RMAF was among the key agencies involved in strengthening participants’ discipline and resilience, with its physical training instructors conducting physical activities and discipline-building sessions throughout the camp.
The activities were designed not only to improve physical fitness but also to instil values such as punctuality, obedience, mental strength, courage, teamwork, leadership and perseverance.
Through structured training, students were exposed to the understanding that success requires discipline, sustained effort and a willingness to face challenges.
The approach is particularly significant for at-risk students as it provides them with opportunities to step out of their comfort zones and experience their own ability to complete challenging tasks.
The involvement of RMAF trainers also helped reinforce the perception that discipline is not a form of punishment but a strength that can help individuals achieve success.
The comprehensive approach enabled students to reflect on themselves and understand the importance of making the right choices before mistakes lead to more serious consequences.
The programme also conveyed the message that the future can still be shaped through changes in attitude, wise choices and a genuine commitment to self-improvement.
The strategic collaboration also broadens the school community’s understanding that student interventions should take into account environmental, family, welfare and social support factors.
The approach is based on the principle that every student deserves support and an opportunity to improve their lives without being defined by past mistakes.
It also strengthens the school’s collaboration with various sectors in supporting efforts to develop students holistically in terms of physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual development.
The selection of the JPWPL Co-Curriculum Centre as the venue added value to the programme by providing an environment different from the conventional classroom setting.
The camp environment allowed students to learn through real-life experiences, group activities, physical tasks, social interaction, self-reflection and problem-solving.
This experiential learning approach also provided teachers with opportunities to identify students’ potential that may not be apparent through conventional classroom learning.
In this context, at-risk students were given opportunities to demonstrate their strengths, talents, leadership qualities and ability to work with others when placed in an appropriate environment.
SMA MAIWP Labuan adopts the approach that the label of an at-risk student should not become a permanent identity. Instead, it is an indication that the student requires greater attention, guidance, intervention and structured support.
The Kem Suluhkan Sinar programme serves as a platform to help students understand themselves, build confidence, manage their behaviour, appreciate rules and realise that they have a future worth striving for.
The approach also requires continued commitment from the school after the camp to ensure that the positive changes initiated are sustained through teacher monitoring, guidance, character-building interventions, co-curricular participation and appropriate support.
Student development should not be measured solely through academic achievement, but also through positive changes in character, discipline, leadership, participation, responsibility, self-identity and the ability to manage life positively.
Even small changes, such as improved school attendance, reduced disciplinary problems, greater participation in school activities, changes in attitude, increased self-confidence and a greater willingness to learn, are indicators of positive student development.
Labuan Federal Territory Education Department director Yahya Ahmad Puteh said the implementation of Kem Suluhkan Sinar conveyed an important message that a great school is not merely one that produces academically outstanding students, but one that can transform students facing challenges into individuals with hope, direction and confidence in their future.
He said schools must work together with government agencies, the community and strategic partners to ensure that every student receives the support needed to develop.
He said the effort was part of the school transformation movement towards achieving the aspiration of becoming an Sekolah Inspirasi based on the SK@S framework, with student development as the main focus of school leadership and management.
“This Kem Suluhkan Sinar is hoped to serve as a starting point for greater changes in the participants,” he said in his address to the camp participants.
