English skills can open doors for rural youth: Joniston

Published on: Monday, June 23, 2025
Published on: Mon, Jun 23, 2025 Text Size: Joniston and others at the event. KIULU: English proficiency is crucial for rural youth to tap into tourism opportunities and build brighter futures, said Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai at SMK Tun Fuad Stephens. Launching the English Literacy for Rural Students programme, Joniston, also Kiulu assemblyman, said English is essential for personal and career growth in a rapidly evolving world. With Kiulu's rise as a community-based tourism hub and international student camp destination, he said language skills would help students confidently lead and interact with visitors. He added that English is widely used in the workplace, including in agencies like the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), and gives jobseekers a competitive edge. Over 100 students are participating in the KKRC-funded programme delivered by UMS Tesl trainees, with Joniston expressing gratitude to all contributors for supporting rural education. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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