Kundasang: Teachers and the community in general need to make school children here aware of the unique natural features that exist in this area which is part of the Unesco Global Geopark.
The Director-General of the Department of Minerals and Geosciences of Malaysia, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk P Geol Zamri Bin Ramli said this is important because this awareness may be overlooked by those who grew up in this area.
“The unique geology of the highlands makes Kundasang an extraordinary natural classroom that the local people should be proud of. This needs to be instilled in school children from a young age.
“As a community born in this place, some may not be able to see how special the Kundasang area is, but for those from outside, this area is so unique, and the people here are very lucky,” he said.
According to him, Kundasang is not just a highland town — it is a world treasure that is part of the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark, which houses the youngest intrusive rocks in the region.
“Rocks that formed 8 million years ago were lifted by the earth’s internal forces, forming the dramatic landscape we see today.
“From the rock structures, the highlands, the fertile valleys to the rich biodiversity. Schoolchildren like those at SK Kundasang grow up in the midst of world-class natural treasures - an advantage that many other schools in Malaysia do not have,” Zamri said when officiating the Handover Ceremony of the Sekolah Angkat Madani (SAM) Project of Sekolah Kebangsaan Kundasang here.
According to him, the SAM Programme, which was inspired by the Prime Minister, is a national effort to ensure that every school - including those in rural and highland areas such as Kundasang - receives the best support for the future of Malaysian children.
“The approach is ‘whole of nation’: government, GLCs, communities and society, working together to build the future of education.
“This programme began in April 2025, involving 1,000 SAMs nationwide with an allocation of RM100,000, with the Ministry of Finance as the lead agency for the Sekolah Angkat Madani while the ICU JPM acts as the monitoring agency.
“Through this programme, education is not only the responsibility of teachers, but of the entire nation. Today, we see that value clearly translated at SK Kundasang,” he said.
He added that this programme is based on the six main values of Madani - Sustainability, Trust, Creativity, Morality, Statesmanship and Kindness - as the cornerstone of forming students who are not only academically excellent, but also have noble character, have an identity and are capable of becoming future leaders.
Meanwhile, Zamri said, SK Kundasang is no stranger to JMG because since 2021, when SK Kundasang was selected as a Geopark Adoption School under the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark (KUGGp), a close relationship began to be established.
Since then, he said, JMG together with Sabah Parks and other agency partners have been doing their best to support the aspirations of the geopark, especially in strengthening geoscience education, environmental sustainability and appreciation for geological heritage.
“In 2022, JMG has the opportunity to implement a project to upgrade equipment and repair the infrastructure of the SK Kundasang Eco-Science Park. For us, this project is not just about building or repairing facilities.
“What is more important is to give students a more lively and closer to nature, and more enjoyable geoscience learning experience.
“Alhamdulillah, in 2025 we will once again be brought together in meaningful cooperation through the Madani Adoption School Programme,” he said.
He added that JMG had channelled RM100,000, and he greatly appreciated the efficiency and commitment of the school so that all work was successfully completed so quickly and in an orderly manner.
“The implementation of this SAM Project proves JMG’s commitment to continue supporting SK Kundasang as a progressive, sustainable school with the potential to become a model of geoscience education and environmental awareness.
“JMG believes that, with the momentum, SK Kundasang will not only be the pride of Ranau, but also an example for other schools throughout Malaysia.
“Insya Allah, JMG will continue to contribute to the school, as long as it is able - especially in terms of technical and professional expertise in the field of geoscience and conservation of earth resources,” he said.
Also present were the Director of JMG Sabah, Dr Frederick Francis Tating; Assistant Director of the Sabah State Education Department, Firdaus Lee; Chief Education Officer Ranau, Barizah Mohd Kahar; SK Kundasang Headmaster, Johana Esan Kong; Chairman of SK Kundasang PTA, Ramlen bin Nordin and others.
