Rotary Launches Sabah Statewide Bag2School 3.0 Programme at SK Kokol

18 January 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Yayasan Kelab-Kelab Rotary Malaysia (YKKRM), in collaboration with nine Rotary Clubs from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau, has launched the Sabah Statewide Bag2School 3.0 programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kokol, aimed at supporting B40 students across Sabah through a coordinated statewide initiative.

Serving as the Lead Club, the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl is spearheading the programme together with other participating clubs in Sabah. These include the Rotary Clubs of Kota Kinabalu Pearl, Kota Kinabalu, Luyang, Penampang, Likas Bay and Kinabalu Sutera in Kota Kinabalu; the Rotary Clubs of Tawau and Tawau Tanjung in Tawau; and the Rotary Club of Sandakan North in Sandakan.

Collectively, the clubs will distribute a total of 1,064 school bags to identified B40 schools throughout the state.

The launch ceremony was attended by Awang Jaya Awang Damit, representing the Director of the Sabah State Education Department (JPNS), reflecting strong collaboration between Rotary and state education authorities.

During the event, approximately 276 school bags were distributed to B40 students from three schools, 174 bags to SK Kokol, 31 to SK Poring-Poring and 71 to SK Tombongon.

The organisers expressed their appreciation to the host school, SK Kokol, as well as SK Poring-Poring and SK Tombongon, for their close cooperation and support in ensuring the smooth implementation of the programme.

Speaking at the launch, Datin Dr Jeanette Tambakau, President of the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl, said the initiative went beyond charitable giving.

“Bag2School is about reducing barriers to education and giving children from B40 families a stronger start to the school year. Through collaboration between Rotary Clubs, schools and education authorities, we hope to create a meaningful and lasting impact on our students,” she said.

Meanwhile, PDG Datuk Zainie Abdul Aucasa, Chairman of Yayasan Kelab-Kelab Rotary Malaysia, said the programme demonstrated the power of collective action.

“When Rotary Clubs across districts and regions unite with educators and partners, we are able to extend support where it matters most. Education remains a key pillar in building resilient communities,” he said.

The programme is implemented in collaboration with YKKRM and the Sabah State Education Department, in line with Rotary’s global Unite for Good initiative.