Philips is totally committed to caring and sharing with the society. Its philosophy of caring for the underprivileged found ideal expression in building and operating kindergartens for needy children. A corporation that understands that education is the best foundation anyone can own for a brighter future, Philips started its kindergarten, Tadika Philips in Batu Arang in 1995.
With the success of the first kindergarten, a second was established two years later in 1997 at Kampung Senggang, Kuala Kangsar, called Tadika Kemas-Philips, the kindergarten is managed by Kemas. Tadika Philips Batu Arang currently schools 25 per annum children and is managed by the Lions Club of Pudu whilst Tabika KEMAS-Philips Kampung Senggang has an enrolment of 30 children per year and is managed by KEMAS Perak.
Philips main objectives in kicking off this sustainability program was to give back to the community by providing pre-school education to underprivileged children aged six, to ensure that they receive the necessary basic education and a firm early foundation to avoid future high-school dropout and eradicate any possibilities of the emergence of society menaces.
Helping the Malaysian Government in ensuring the education system is up to mark as it is an important aspect in the molding and crafting of one's character, personality and intellectual acumen was also one of the main reasons for the set up of these kindergartens and the kindergartens are seen as protected and secure places for the development of the child's cognitive capability in communication, interaction and expression of basic analytical skills like problem-solving and being task-orientated which will benefit them in the later years.
Chairman and CEO of Philips Group of Companies in Malaysia, Mr. Rajah Kumar, observe, "Education plays an important aspect in the molding and crafting of one's character, personality and intellectual. The Government of Malaysia places special importance in ensuring the education system is up to mark as the Prime Minister himself aims to make the country a regional education hub. A breed of highly educated individuals is required to bear testimony to the quality of education this country offers. We believe our investment with the kindergartens is both natural and timely to contribute effectively towards the national education aspirations".
Both kindergartens, solely financed by Philips Malaysia, are open to children six years of age whose families are earning less than RM1,000 a month. These children are given free books, a complete set of kindergarten uniforms, one free meal a day and a qualified teacher to oversee the development of each child whilst at school.
As a gesture to create more awareness and encourage fellow Malaysians to participate in the project in Kuala Kangsar, Philips organised a charity dinner where RM340,000 was raised. And true to the saying, "Charity begins at home" the kindergarten today proudly stands on two plots of land generously donated by the Kuala Kangsar district office. Others who have contributed to this cause include The Shelter 3 Vocational Training Centre in Batu Arang who crafted the tables and chairs especially for the school.
To date, there have been over 400 children from both kindergartens of Batu Arang and Kuala Kangsar who have benefited from Philips community program.
Philips in Malaysia is synonymous with corporate social responsibility initiatives and this is only one of the various charitable programmes undertaken by Philips Malaysia, which has made an impact for the less fortunate. Philips is also an active supporter towards oncology research and development and alternates funds annually between medical and educational.
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