Angkasa: Its Role in the Development of School Co-operatives in Malaysia
Name of Co-operative
The co-operative is called the National Co-operative Organisation of Malaysia (ANGKASA).
Date of Incorporation
12 May 1971.
Membership
The organisation serves 3031 co-operatives and 5.3 million members (as of January 2005). Of this total, 1376 are school co-operatives, comprising 1.36 million members.
Activity
Apex organisation of the Malaysian co-operative movement, provides educational and support services.
Organisational form
National Apex Co-operatives.
Area served
The organisation serves co-operatives in Malaysia.
Introduction
The First Malaysian Co-operative Congress in 1953 passed a resolution urging the Government to set up co-operatives in schools to inculcate the co-operative model among school children. The project took off in 1968 with nine schools being selected for the pilot project. Since then, the number has increased by more than 150-fold and confidence in the school co-operative movement has grown tremendously. The school co-op is recognized and accepted as a co-curriculum activity in Malaysia by the Government, which sees it as an important and meaningful activity, especially for secondary school students. The government formalized its support for the national programme in the country’s Education Act (1961) and the National Education Policy. The members of the co-ops are mainly students ranging from 12 to 17 years of age, a particularly good age for people to be involved in such activities, a very valuable timeframe to introduce co-operative principles and values to the youths. The Government acknowledges that, through co-operative movement, the young students could be developed, among others, as responsible and independent persons, whilst being given opportunity for leadership and business exposure.
ANGKASA
The National Co-operative Organisation of Malaysia (ANGKASA) is recognized by the Malaysian government as the national apex body of co-operative organisations. It was registered in May, 1971. The membership of ANGKASA is currently 3,031 co-operatives at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, including school co-operatives. All told, 1,376 of the 1,472 school co-operatives in existence are members of ANGKASA. ANGKASA was formed to meet the following objectives:
- To unite and represent the Malaysian Co-operative Movement at the national and international level;
- To disseminate and propagate the co-operative concept and principles through education and publicity; and
- To assist co-operatives in the proper running and management of the organisations by providing advice, education and other necessary services.
The school co-operative movement in Malaysia is highly regarded internationally for its activities and its achievements. It has been highlighted a number of times during the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) General and Regional Assemblies. However, its success would not be accomplished without the joint effort and mutual understanding between the Ministry of Education and ANGKASA in developing the co-operative movement in the schools. ANGKASA is headed by the National Administrative Committee comprising fifteen elected officials: the President, the Deputy President, three Vice Presidents and ten State Committee Chairpersons.
Development of School Co-operative Movement
As an apex body, ANGKASA played an important role in promoting and develop co-operatives in schools. For ANGKASA, the best way to develop the movement is through education. Among the activities organized include:
- a. Administrative and Management Course;
b. Annual Celebration of School Co-operative Day – State and National level;
c. School Co-operative Tourism; and
d. SEKKOP 123 (Accounting System).
a. Administrative and Management Course
Members and internal audit committee attend this course. The aim of the course is to equip board members and auditors with the knowledge and skills in managing their co-operative effectively. There are six modules in the course, which consists of the following:
- Understanding the Co-operative Identity Statement;
- Understanding the Co-operative’s Financial Statement;
- Good Governance for Co-operative;
- Co-operative’s Society’s Law in Malaysia;
- Co-operative’s Financial Management; and
- Rights and Responsibilities of Co-operative Board Members
b. Annual Celebration of School Co-operative Day
ANGKASA organized its first School Co-operative Day in 1995 and has held them every year since then. The annual event is divided into two categories, state and national level. It is a joint effort between ANGKASA, the Ministry of Education, State Education Departments and the Department of Co-operative Development of Malaysia. The events organized include the Quiz Competition, an Essay Writing Competition, and a Drawing Competition; it also features Seminars and a Petanque Tournament with themes related to co-operatives and their movement. The participation from the schools has been encouraging and the competition has garnered attention among school going children. The prizes awarded to Quiz and Petanque winners include a trip to visit co-operatives and universities in ASEAN countries. The winning participant in the Quiz competition is given the opportunity to experience first hand the co-operative movement around the world. Since 1995, the winners have been to Manchester (1995), Japan (1996, 2000, 2002, 2003), Sweden (1997), Thailand (1998), Canada (1999) and Korea (2001). All the expenses for this travel were borne by ANGKASA.
c. School Co-operative Tourism
The School Co-operative Tourism package introduced by ANGKASA differs from the packages by travel agencies. It emphasizes educational programmes rather then typical tourism and sightseeing. Currently being developed in selected schools in Peninsular Malaysia, it involves local co-operatives in two ways: they can organize tours for their members to visit other co-operatives, or they can host members from other co-operatives. In either event, the programme provides students with the opportunity to plan and to manage tourist packages. When a co-operative serves as a host, it will provide accommodation and organize the itinerary for the stay, including educational activities. The package is drawn up based on a local historical figure who has contributed to the development of Malaysia and includes a discussion on the figure and his or her contributions. The tour also includes a visit to historical sites in relating to the subject. ANGKASA provides training and guidance for this programme.
d. SEKKOP 123
ANGKASA developed an integrated accounting software programme - Membership, Accounting and Sales System, also known as SEKKOP 123 for school co-operatives. Introduced in 2001, it helps school co-operatives to manage their services better in the areas of sales transaction, stock control, registration of membership and accounting. ANGKASA makes the software available free of charge to school co-operatives. The advantage of having this software is that less time is needed for finalizing accounts and stock taking, thus helping teachers and students run the business efficiently.
Conclusion
ANGKASA plays a significant role in the development of school co-operatives. Guided by the co-operative principles and values, ANGKASA believes in providing a positive environment for school co-operatives to thrive in the country and for young people to learn about co-operatives and their effective management.
Rahaiah has been ANGKASA's Vice-President since 1994. She serves as Chairperson of ANGKASA's Education and Women's Development Committee. She is also the Chairperson of the ICA Regional Women's Committee for Asia and the Pacific and a Board Member of the ICA Gender Equality Committee. As the first chairperson of the ICA Regional Women's Committee for Asia Pacific, Rahaiah has been on the ICA Board since 1996.
