KUCHING, September 7: After visiting several rural schools in Simunjan, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik disclosed that he felt a calling to find ways to set up more full boarding schools in Sarawak and Sabah to give rural children access and opportunity to formal education.
He noted that rural students in both Sarawak and Sabah, despite having remarkable talents and skills, could not or would find it difficult to continue their formal studies merely because of geographical challenges.
Speaking to reporters after paying a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg this morning, Maszlee said he visited a few rural schools in Simunjan yesterday and was very impressed with the commitment and talents of the students there.
“Despite being in rural areas, they have shown remarkable learning abilities in the English subject, science and leadership. These abilities if given more opportunities to develop can provide a bright future for them,” he said.
The need for boarding facilities, he added, could also be addressed by public higher learning institutions or universities to help those from the rural areas. He reckoned that despite not producing impressive academic secondary results compared to students from urban areas or higher income families, rural students could also be successful if given a chance.
“I will convey this to local and public higher learning institutions to give opportunities to the rural students to be able to continue their higher studies.
“If given the opportunity, I am convinced they can also be successful,” said Maszlee. — DayakDaily
