Taylor’s College and Local School Unveil Inclusive Music Room for Students with Hearing and Learning Disabilities

• Provides more than 40 students with hearing and learning disabilities access to structured music education
• Sponsorship of RM50,000 provided through educator Stefanus Lucas, recipient of RISE Educator Award

Taylor’s College and Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Kota Kinabalu have unveiled an upgraded Inclusive Music Room designed to provide students with hearing impairment and learning disabilities access to music education. The facility, equipped with traditional and modern instruments, enables students to engage with music through rhythm, vibration, and visual cues.

The RM50,000 sponsorship from Taylor’s College supported the project through educator Stefanus Lucas, who received the RISE Educator Award 2025. The school received an additional RM50,000 from the award programme, which also distributed RM1,000 each to four finalists and RM10,000 to their respective institutions.

Mohamad Sufri bin Salim, Chief Assistant Director of the Special Education Sector at Sabah State Education Department, attended the November 19 event and said the collaboration “reflects the spirit of collaboration that drives our national education agenda, where the public and private sectors come together to ensure every child, regardless of ability or background, has access to quality learning opportunities.”

Josephine Tan, Taylor’s College Campus Director, stated, “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, express, and thrive, regardless of their abilities. Through this upgraded Inclusive Music Room, we hope to empower Cikgu Stefanus to create a space where students can experience joy, confidence, and creativity through music.” She noted this marks the second school in Sabah that Taylor’s College has supported.

Since joining the school in 2024, Lucas has developed a structured music programme involving over 40 students. According to a statement, the programme has enabled students to perform on international platforms and demonstrate “that expression and creativity can thrive beyond sound.”

“Many people assume music is only about hearing, but for my students, it is about feeling, seeing and expressing. When I first arrived, we had no music room, so I started with whatever I had, hoping to give them a new way to communicate and build confidence,” Lucas said. He added that with the upgraded facility, the school can “expand our workshops, training and resources.”

Headmaster Muhammad Hamka bin Eallie expressed gratitude for the partnership, stating, “For many of them, music has become a new way to communicate, build confidence, and express joy. We are deeply thankful to Taylor’s College for recognising the potential of our educator and learners and supporting our vision of education that empowers every child to shine.”