PORT DICKSON: Teachers and pupils of SK Kampung Gelam, here are a privileged lot.

Three years ago, the country's electricity utility company, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, adopted the school under its Pintar programme.

It is the only school in the state to have benefited from TNB under its Pintar programme (Promoting Intelligence, Nurturing Talent and Advocating Responsibility).

School headmaster Abdul Rahman Kechut said the number of Year Six students who scored five As in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination had increased since it was adopted by TNB.

Rahman, who has been in education for almost 15 years, said only 18 students scored five As in the UPSR exam in 2007.

"The number increased to 23 the following year and a new record was set last year with 26 students scoring As in all subjects. This year, we hope the 153 UPSR candidates will set another record.

"All these achievements are made possible through the combined efforts of TNB and the dedicated teachers.

"TNB has made available to the students a host of facilities such as reading booths and books.

"My teachers have been motivated by the support from TNB and we hope that this smart partnership will continue for many years."

TNB chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohd Noh, who visited the school recently with a team of TNB staff, presented the school with RM20,000 (S$8,580)to fund this year's activities.

"I hope that the school's performance will continue to improve as we are committed to providing support to rural schools located close to TNB power stations nationwide.

"This is not a short-term project but a long-term vision to bridge the gap between rural and urban schools across the country.

"It is also in line with the government's agenda."

TNB has adopted 26 schools as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives -- in Penang, Perlis, Perak, Pahang, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor and Selangor.

The TNB Pintar project was established pursuant to the Pintar programme under which government-linked companies would adopt schools throughout the country.

The objective of the programme is to provide support in education, leadership and team building as well as encouraging the participation of parents and society in the development of schoolchildren.