Tzu Chi volunteers hold a campus tutoring briefing for parents. Renée (pseudonym, second from right) has gained confidence in the program after her son's grades improved last year. | Photo courtesy of Siew Lian Low

Since August 2023, Tzu Chi has been providing long-term educational support for underprivileged children in Malaysia. Working with 17 schools, volunteers in Melaka launched the "Campus Tutoring Program." By November of the same year, they had conducted 2,098 tutoring sessions, benefiting 15,761 students.

A Tzu Chi volunteer discusses teaching materials with a schoolteacher during a class break while students work on their assignments. ｜Photo courtesy of Siew Lian Low | (SJK(T) Ladang Diamond Jubilee), Melaka, Malaysia | 2023/08/18



SJKT Pekan Tebong, a school located in a rural area of Melaka, has been actively collaborating with Tzu Chi to support its underprivileged students. These collaborations include various initiatives such as the "Happy Campus" program, scholarships, and the second year of the "Campus Tutoring Program."

After class, children participating in the campus tutoring program wash their hands and head to the cafeteria to receive their vegetarian meals. ｜Photo courtesy of Siew Lian Low | (SJK(T) Ladang Diamond Jubilee), Melaka, Malaysia | 2023/08/17

One parent, Renée (pseudonym), shared, "My child expressed a desire to attend a tuition center, but our home is far from town, and each subject costs 60 MYR (about 13 USD). With our family of six relying solely on my husband's income, it's quite difficult. Thankfully, the campus tutoring program provides an extra learning opportunity for my child."

The tutoring classes divide students into small groups, with teachers and volunteers pairing up to provide one-on-one or one-on-two instruction. ｜Photo courtesy of Yu-Chu Yen | Melaka, Malaysia ｜2023/09/23

Vice Principal Ravi noted that many single-parent families in rural areas have unstable incomes, and children are often overlooked. In school, morning classes cover many subjects, leaving little time for additional help. Therefore, the campus tutoring program is a rare and valuable opportunity. The teachers willingly put in extra effort, and the students are happy to learn. Last year, their grades showed some improvement.

As the new school year begins in 2024, a new round of campus tutoring is set to start. Volunteers are holding briefing sessions for the tutoring teachers and conducting meetings with parents and students at various schools. The goal is to build a consensus among parents, teachers, and students. The process of nurturing young minds becomes smoother with the combination of self-effort, external support, and the assistance of the broader community.

Reported by Yu-Chu Yen and Siew Lian Low, Malaysia

Edited by Zhen Ye, Department of Literature and History, Tzu Chi Foundation