By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Nov 20: Free laptops will be given to Sarawakian students successfully enrolled in public and private higher learning institutions (IPTA and IPTS), says Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari said this key initiative will benefit households with per capita income of below RM1,500 per month.
“This assistance is expected to benefit 5,000 students with an allocation of RM15 million in this Budget,” he said when tabling the Supply (2024) Bill, 2023 during the Sarawak Legialative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
He said another key initiative to mitigate cost-of-living pressures within the low and middle-income groups, is book vouchers of RM500 per person for Sarawakian IPTA and IPTS students from households with per capita income of RM1,500 per month and below.
He also said that the assistance is expected to benefit 35,000 university and college students.
“A sum of RM17.5 million will be allocated for this purpose next year, which will be managed by Yayasan Sarawak,” he said.
He added that the Sarawak government will also provide funding for three other existing student assistance schemes under Yayasan Sarawak, namely an additional grant of RM5 million for the Free Tuition Programme, an additional grant of RM2 million for the School Uniform Assistance Programme, and a special grant of RM6 million to Yayasan Sarawak to enhance the Local Scholarship programme by doubling the existing assistance amount per student from RM400 to RM800. — DayakDaily
