IPOH, Aug 7 (Bernama) — The Perak government has urged people of all races and religions to emulate the initiatives of the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) in helping poor Indian students achieve academic excellence.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the centre’s effort in emphasising on mental and spritual preparedness to help students face examinations was a good example for all.

“It is not wrong for other communities to borrow a noble effort for the development of children’s education…the state government will give full support to this,” he told reporters after attending a gathering with parents and students at the SMC, here, today.

He said the SMC’s approach in setting up tuition centres nationwide which provided free classes had a positive effect in improving the academic performance of Indian students.

Besides daily tuition classes, the centre also conducted motivational programmes with spiritual content to ensure students were mentally strong to sit for important exams, said Zambry.

The SMC, established in 1982, has 103 branches throughout Malaysia. It has so far taught some 250,000 less fortunate students, of whom 16,000 have successfully pursued their studies to a higher level.