SIBU – The Sarawak government has allocated a total of RM2.17 billion to the Education, Science and Technological Research Ministry (MESTR) since its establishment in 2017, said state Education, Science and Technological Research Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee.
Dr Annuar said even though education is under the federal government in terms of budget and policy, the state government has not left the responsibility to the federal government alone.
He said MESTR was established for the first time under the leadership of Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg to improve the academic performance of students in Sarawak, which is far behind the rest of the nation, especially based on Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia results.
“This is part of the state government’s initiatives to catch up. This is why our ministry is not going to implement policies, but supplements and complements to help the federal government in whatever way we can to speed up the progress of education in Sarawak.
“We are committed to enhance education development in Sarawak. We do not want to be left behind in Sarawak,” he said in an interview recently.
He said that the first task of MESTR was to address the issue of dilapidated schools, involving a total of 1,020 schools in the state, as well as enhance the standard and quality of education in Sarawak.
Dr Annuar said eight initiatives have been implemented by the Sarawak government under MESTR since 2017, one of which was to repair or upgrade school infrastructure and facilities, involving a total allocation of RM1.4 billion.
“From this RM1.4 billion, RM1 billion was an advance payment to the federal government to pay for the repair of dilapidated schools in the state.
“Meanwhile, we allocated RM4 million for assistance to schools affected by floods. We have more than 200 schools affected by floods every year because they are near riverbanks.
“So, instead of repairing schools after floods, we prefer that the schools be built somewhere new,” he added.
He said the Sarawak government also allocated RM11.82 million for continuous professional development for school leaders and teachers.
“We allocated RM37 million for the promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and the English language.
“Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia which totally uses English as a medium of instruction for Year 1 (2020) students, and now we are in Year 2,” he said.
He said the state government also allocated RM300 million for the establishment of Sarawak international secondary schools, as well as workforce development and the promotion of technical and vocational education and training (RM10.7 million).
Others included the establishment of the Sarawak Science Centre (RM200 million) and establishment of the Sarawak Research Development Council and Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (RM211 million), he added. – Bernama, November 12, 2021
