By: Dr Nurul Ashykin Abd Aziz, Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Ashraf Fauri@Fauzi, Dr Rusnifaezah Musa, Dr Ahmad Huzaimi Abd Jamil
Che Nurul Khairunnisa Che Kadir is the Managing Director of QC Group Sdn Bhd, the company that leads the HOME Maths Therapy brand. Her entrepreneurial journey, marked by resilience and determination, was profoundly shaped by navigating personal challenges, including the severe medical condition of her first child in 2008, and the uncertainty of establishing a business between 2008 and 2012, which she described as a period focused entirely on "survival". This realization, coupled with the discovery that her child had special learning needs in 2011, which included developmental delays in areas like walking and speech, inspired her to establish HOME Maths Therapy.
Q1: HOME Maths Therapy transitioned from being a program based on one-off workshops to establishing an ongoing service model. What drove the decision to move toward providing continuous support and services?
Although we continued to organize mathematics workshops and seminars since 2010 due to high demand, we began to face challenges because these were one-off events. Since participants could only attend once without continuity, it made sustaining a consistent customer base difficult. This realization highlighted the need for a more creative and sustainable business model to attract long-term customers. In response, we decided to establish HOME Maths Therapy to provide ongoing support and services.
Q2: You described the years between 2008 and 2012 as a period focused entirely on "survival." Can you elaborate on the core challenges you and Sifu Taj were navigating during that time?
The years between 2008 and 2012 were a time of immense struggle for us—a period that was entirely focused on survival. We were navigating the uncertainties of a new market, trying to find our footing as entrepreneurs. At the same time, my husband had just started a new job, and I was in the process of restarting my business, which was still in its infancy. On top of the business challenges, we had just stepped into the role of parenthood, with everything feeling new and overwhelming.
Q3: Your personal journey regarding your eldest child’s health and development was highly influential in the creation of HOME Maths Therapy. What were the specific concerns that led you to believe mathematics could be a solution for special learning needs?
In 2011, the doctor informed us that our eldest child might experience developmental delays; for instance, walking was slow, recognizing types of food was delayed, and speech development was behind, with no first words spoken at the typical age for other children. We began thinking about how we could address these challenges, and we were confident that mathematics could be one of the solutions. We believed it could help develop our child's sensory and cognitive abilities by stimulating brain cell activity. This confidence led us to research the condition and look for other children who faced similar challenges, exploring methods and approaches even beyond our borders.
Q4: Following the profound challenges you faced, how did these experiences directly influence and inspire the founding of HOME Maths Therapy?
The profound challenges we faced became a defining aspect of our journey. These experiences inspired me to establish HOME Maths Therapy, a program designed to transform how students approach and engage with mathematics. Our perspective was profoundly shaped by the realization that our child had special learning needs, which opened our eyes to the importance of a more empathetic and focused approach to teaching, particularly for children who require additional support in their learning journey.
Q5: Your husband, Sifu Taj, spent nearly seven years developing the foundational Bijak Sifir Module. What was your specific role in the evaluation and refinement of this critical educational module?
My role was crucial in assisting Sifu Taj throughout the development of the module. My main responsibility was assisting in evaluating whether the module was truly comprehensive and effective, ensuring it met the needs of students and achieved the intended educational outcomes. Sifu Taj noted that for seven years, he kept presenting his ideas, and I kept rejecting them until 2010 when everything became more structured, and I finally agreed that it was ready to be developed into the Basic Module of Smart Sifir.
Q6: You identified that mathematics poses a significant challenge for many Malaysian students due to varying levels of thinking. How did this recognition shape the core therapeutic approach of HOME Maths Therapy?
We recognized that mathematics poses a significant challenge for many students in Malaysia, which is a concern shared by parents, educators, and schools. Knowing that every student possesses a different level of thinking, with some grasping mathematics quickly while others are slower learners, we emphasized the importance of therapy and innovative learning methods. We believed these approaches were crucial in helping children with diverse learning needs to better understand and engage with mathematics, providing a holistic solution for children to master the subject with confidence and ease.
Q7: From a philosophical perspective, how do you view the franchise concept of HOME Maths Therapy, beyond just being a successful business venture?
Over the 12 years of HOME Maths Therapy's journey, the business has been developed with a franchise concept grounded in the awareness of fardhu kifayah. From the perspective of mathematics education and the mission of business jihad, we also view this endeavor as an act of worship.
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