KUCHING, Jan 25: As promised, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg presents a government grant of RM10 million to Chinese Independent schools in Sarawak.
He handed over a cheque for the amount to Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Management Board deputy chairman Dato Richard Wee this morning at a brief ceremony at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Petra Jaya here.
Also present was the Minister of Local Government and Housing, Professor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian who is also chairman of Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP).
There are in total 14 private Chinese secondary schools in Sarawak. Annually, these schools cost the Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Management Board RM35 million.
Last year, the board revealed that these schools have been running on deficits totalling to more than RM25 million each year.
As these are private schools, there has been no systematic allocations from the federal government. The Chinese community has been taking upon themselves the responsibility to sustain these schools all these years by generating income through donations from the private sector as well as the public.
The late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem started to support these private Chinese schools by giving RM3 million in 2014 and promised to increase by RM1 million each year.
Wee thanked Abang Johari and the Sarawak government for their continuous support to the Chinese education in Sarawak.
“Since 2014, we have received annual grants from Sarawak government increasing RM1 million yearly by Tok Nan and Abang Jo.
“More importantly, the bold decision to recognise UEC (United Examination Certificate) in spite of the non recognition by Federal government.
“With such policy of Sarawak Government, we are now the envy of all the other states in Malaysia. Once agaian, we are most grateful to YAB CM and the State government for being inclusive and forward looking in their education policy for Sarawak,” said Wee in a statement today. — DayakDaily
