Sunway TES College Johor Bahru (STESJB) brought together 30 students from 10 secondary schools in Johor Bahru for the STESJB Freedom Hunt @ PPAJ 2026, an interactive educational programme designed to strengthen patriotism, teamwork, communication and critical-thinking skills among young people.
Organised by TES Iskandar Library and the Student LIFE Department, the programme was held at Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Johor (PPAJ) in conjunction with the Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations. The initiative was conducted in collaboration with PPAJ and Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Johor Bahru (PPD Johor Bahru).
Rather than a conventional classroom-based activity, the Freedom Hunt challenged students to work in teams through a series of educational and recreational activities that encouraged problem-solving, creativity, communication and collaboration, while also deepening their appreciation of Malaysian culture and heritage.
The programme also introduced students to the public library as more than a place for books, positioning it as a dynamic space for learning, discovery, interaction and community engagement.
A key objective of the programme was to provide students with meaningful opportunities to develop essential skills beyond academic learning. Through team-based challenges, participants were required to communicate effectively, make decisions, solve problems and work towards common goals.
The event also provided STESJB with an opportunity to strengthen its engagement with secondary schools and the wider Johor Bahru community. The collaboration between STESJB, PPAJ and PPD Johor Bahru highlights the role that educational institutions and public agencies can play in creating enriching learning experiences for young people outside the traditional classroom.
“Education today must go beyond academic knowledge. We want students to have opportunities to develop confidence, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills through real experiences. At the same time, programmes such as the Freedom Hunt allow us to bring schools, educational institutions and the community together in a meaningful way,” said Krishna Selvarajoo, Head – Academic & Operations, Sunway TES College Johor Bahru.
STESJB also acknowledged the contribution of its student volunteers and organising team, whose support helped ensure the smooth implementation of the programme. The success of STESJB Freedom Hunt @ PPAJ 2026 provides a strong foundation for future initiatives involving school outreach, student development, library engagement and community-based learning.
Sunway TES College Johor Bahru expressed its appreciation to Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Johor, PPD Johor Bahru, participating schools, teachers, students, volunteers and the organising team for their support and contribution to the programme.
