KUCHING, Nov 21: The Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Sarawak has expressed appreciation to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for the RM343 million allocation during the tabling of the Sarawak Budget 2024 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday (Nov 20).
In a statement issued today, its minister, Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, highlighted the following points which were tabled under the Sarawak Budget 2024:
- Book voucher of RM500 per student, which is expected to benefit 35,000 university and college students
- Free laptop initiative for Sarawakian students for family households with per capita income of RM1,500 per month and below, which is expected to benefit 5,000 students
- Free tuition programme where the target group is extended to cover Form 3, 4, and 5 students from B40 households where 58,520 students are expected to benefit from it
- Uniform assistance programme, which will benefit an additional 10,000 students
- Local scholarship programme where RM6 million was approved to benefit 11,250 students
He assured that with the allocation, they are working towards achieving its goals outlined in the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which is currently in its fourth year, leaving six more years to attain its aspirations towards a thriving society driven by data and innovation.
“From the approved total allocation, 65 per cent or RM223.4 million is to cater for strategic programmes to strengthen human capital and talent development in Sarawak.
“My ministry outlined 15 programmes under this strategic theme. In the 2024 Budget, apart from the existing programmes, there are several new and improved initiatives that directly benefit no less than 119,770 Sarawak students.
“In the second part of the allocation, RM119.6 million or 35 per cent is to cater for developing an innovation-based and knowledge-oriented economy in Sarawak,” he said.
He elaborated that from RM119.6 million, 73 per cent of RM86.6 million is for research, research and development (R&D) projects, innovations, and research institutions operation, while 27 per cent or RM33 million is to cater for the Sarawak Science Centre project. — DayakDaily
