By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 17: Rural children must move beyond just reading, writing and counting and master science, technology and digital knowledge to shape Sarawak’s future, said State Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
Delivering his keynote at the STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi 2025 event held at SMK Long Lama in Baram today (July 17), in conjunction with the school’s 60th anniversary, Sagah called on Baram youth to seize the opportunity to excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), regardless of their location.
“It is no longer acceptable to say that reading, writing and counting are enough for rural children. Our future depends on our ability to master science, technology and digital knowledge,” he said, as quoted in a press release.
“You too can excel in coding and STEM regardless of your location,” he told the students.
The programme, which marked its 17th and largest stop at SMK Long Lama, drew over 1,000 students from rural schools across Baram, making it the biggest turnout of the statewide tour.
Implemented in collaboration with University of Technology Sarawak and Sarawak Skills, STEM Catalysts is a mobile STEM carnival travelling across 18 districts from April to July. It features interactive exhibits and hands-on science activities, reaching over 6,000 students in more than 160 rural schools, exceeding its original target of 130.
At SMK Long Lama, students journeyed from as far as SK Long Lapok to participate. Among the popular activities were robotics, drone racing, hydraulic systems, hydrogen experiments, AI-controlled arms, and coding demonstrations promoted by the Rolf Schnyder Welfare Association.
Guided by 20 trained STEM communicators, the exhibits brought science to life in engaging ways. Many students requested longer sessions, while several teachers expressed interest in adopting the exhibits in their own schools.
“We’re thrilled to see that some teachers even purchased exhibits on the spot. This kind of grassroots enthusiasm is exactly what we hoped to spark,” Sagah added.
He also highlighted the Sarawak government’s efforts to remove financial barriers to STEM education. Under the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme, students enrolled in STEM programmes at State-owned universities receive full tuition waivers. Additionally, those from low-income families are eligible for an annual stipend of RM15,000.
“This is your chance to step into the world of STEM and help shape a smarter, stronger Sarawak,” he told the students.
Sagah extended appreciation to corporate sponsors SMD Semiconductor Sdn Bhd, Press Metal Berhad, and Socoe Sdn Bhd, as well as institutional partners Sarawak Skills, University of Technology Sarawak, Sarawak Science Centre, and the Rolf Schnyder Foundation.
He praised Sarawak Skills for their commitment to bridging the digital divide in rural areas and acknowledged the support of the Sarawak State Education Department (JPNS) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) Malaysia, expressing hope for continued collaboration.
As Sarawak aims to increase its STEM enrolment from 45.7 per cent to 60 per cent by 2030, Sagah challenged the school to lead by example.
“Today, we celebrate SMK Long Lama as a beacon of education. Tomorrow, let’s celebrate it as the bastion of STEM innovation in Baram.”
The press release further stated that STEM Catalysts is part of MEITD’s broader initiative to promote interest in STEM across the State.
Other related initiatives include the Hornbill Foundation’s ‘No Kid Left Behind’ programme, which delivers online STEM lessons via Starlink to 11 rural secondary schools; a UNICEF collaboration to train rural teachers and students in coding; and the SRDC BrightSparx Grant Programme, which funds student innovation projects, culminating in the Premier’s BrightSparx Innovation Award.
Also present at the event were MEITD deputy minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Gerawat Gala; Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau; Permanent Secretary to MEITD Adana Jed; and Sarawak Skills chief strategy officer (CSO) Mohamad Isham Fauzi. — DayakDaily
