BINTULU, Jan 3: Students from the rural areas of Belaga were reminded of the importance of education in shaping their future and encouraged to pursue higher education.
Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong said, in time, the students would eventually go for higher learning and delve into the working world, so they have to emphasise their efforts on their studies not only for personal development but also to help improve the livelihood of their families and community.
“This is not the end of journey, but the start of a new chapter. Hard work, dedication and commitment alone are not enough without discipline.
“In just a matter of time, all of you will be working after completing your studies. Please remember to give back to the community especially your own family who have sacrificed so much to provide the opportunity for education,” Wilson said during a luncheon with 20 Primary Six pupils from various schools in Belaga.
The pupils from SK Abun Matu, SK Batu Keling, SK Long Gang, SK Airport, SK Punan Ba, SK Long Busang and SK Long Urun, were participating in a school excursion to Bintulu for back-to-school shopping earlier today sponsored by Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and the Belaga District Education Department.
The trip was also aimed at enhancing the academic performance of students by giving them an incentive and exposing them to new experiences, as well as to motivate the pupils to strive for academic excellence.
SEB assistant general manager for corporate social responsibility (CSR) Jiwari Abdullah said only with knowledge and education would the students be able to move up in life.
“The success of our children, especially those from rural areas will not be possible unless everyone puts their heart and soul in ensuring these goals are achieved,” said Jiwari.
Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon called on the pupils and teachers to not take things lightly but to strive towards greater achievement to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive world.
Both Wilson and Kennedy thanked SEB and Belaga District Education Department for their continuous efforts in implementing educational enhancement programmes and other development initiatives for the local community.
“Education & Young People” is a key emphasis of SEB’s CSR pillars. The energy developer and state power utility’s CSR initiatives and social investments are focused on areas affected by its projects, and communities in the Belaga District are part of this as the Murum and Bakun Hydropower Plants are located in the district.
By engaging and working with the communities themselves, SEB has developed a suite of programmes that address community needs from their perspective.
Initiatives under this pillar include ‘Adopt A School’ for SMK Bakun, academic workshops for students sitting for public examinations and youth training programmes.
Other activities organised by SEB in the area include Fire Safety Awareness and Prevention Programmes for 15 longhouses in the Bakun Resettlement Area in Apau Koyan as well as contributing fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment to them last October.
SEB also organised a similar educational trip to Kuching for the students of SMK Bakun recently.
Other support given by SEB include providing immediate assistance to fire victims at Uma Badeng, Apau Koyan in June and sponsoring a group of artisans from Belaga to participate in last year’s Borneo International Beads Conference (BIBCO). — DayakDaily
