Empowering the Next Generation: PKNPk Bridges Digital Literacy and Media Skills at SK St. Michael

Recognizing that navigating modern technology demands more than mere consumption, the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNPk) has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment through the StratCom Jr. Programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan St. Michael (SKSMI) in Ipoh.

Originating in 2024, this ongoing strategic partnership delivers structured professional mentorship and advisory support aimed at cultivating responsible digital communication, critical evaluation of online narratives, and foundational media production capabilities among primary students and educators alike.

The initiative centers on two vital pillars: elevating the technical competencies of teachers and school media clubs in producing high-impact digital content, while training young learners to critically analyze, filter, and articulate information across contemporary communication channels. A major milestone of this engagement is SKSMI’s fully operational Green Studio, which was recently officiated by PKNPk Chief Executive Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak. The modern studio environment enriches daily academic instruction across varied subjects by offering students hands-on opportunities to research, edit, and present interactive materials within a dedicated multimedia setting.

Emphasizing the long-term intent of the initiative, Datuk Redza Rafiq highlighted that developing media fluency and ethical communication must start at an early age to prepare youth for a rapidly transforming digital landscape. To translate theory into actionable skills, PKNPk presented the school’s Media Team with an iPhone 15 and essential media production accessories, providing the technical resources necessary to document school life and create high-grade digital broadcasts.

This human-capital investment underscores PKNPk’s overarching mandate, where regional progress extends beyond commercial investments and industrial infrastructure to encompass grassroots talent development. Aligned with the digital economy thrust under the Perak Sejahtera 2030 blueprint, nurturing early technological proficiency and critical acumen ensures Perak’s younger generation is equipped to participate responsibly and effectively in a connected future.