STRATEGIES TO BOOST PARTICIPATION IN SCIENCE INNOVATION COMPETITIONS AT SJK (TAMIL) SCHOOL IN THE KINTA UTARA DISTRICT

This article discusses the proposals by school principals to increase participation in the Science Innovation Competition in SJK (Tamil) schools in the Kinta Utara district through Hermeneutic Methods. The objective of the study is to identify suggestions for enhancing participation in the science innovation competition. This qualitative study involves 14 schools and 14 principals from SJK (Tamil) as respondents. Data were obtained through a triangulation of questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis. The results of the analysis indicate that suggestions for encouragement and motivation, as well as seeking financial resources, recorded the highest frequency (60%), followed by rewards and praise (40%), and technical support and expert innovation guidance (30%). The study suggests a more focused and strategic approach to address the challenges of low participation of schools in the science innovation competition. The implications of the study show that principals, as instructional leaders, can effectively drive participation from SJK (Tamil) in the science innovation competition in the Kinta Utara district.