By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 6: The Sarawak government plans to allocate RM16 million in 2027 to expand smart whiteboard installations in schools Statewide, including those in rural and remote areas, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian said.
Over RM5 million allocation has been set aside this year to equip more than 350 classrooms in Chinese primary schools across Sarawak with smart whiteboards, as part of the State’s efforts to accelerate digital education and encourage greater student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) report, Dr Sim said the allocation builds on last year’s initiative, which saw 369 classrooms in Chinese primary schools equipped with smart whiteboards.
“This effort goes beyond merely providing technological facilities in classrooms; it forms part of Sarawak’s long-term strategy to produce more professionals and highly skilled human capital to fulfill the State’s development needs.
“The emphasis on STEM is crucial to ensuring Sarawak can nurture more professionals, specialists, and highly skilled talent required to meet the State’s future development aspirations,” he said during a visit to Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Chung Hua, Sibu yesterday to inspect the smart whiteboard facilities installed at the school.
On the Sarawak government’s support for Chinese primary schools, Dr Sim said the Sarawak Chinese School Consultative Committee was established in 2020 with an initial allocation of RM8 million.
“Starting from 2022, the annual allocation for Chinese primary schools was increased to RM12 million, with initial focus given to school expansion, reconstruction and relocation projects,” he said.
Also present during the visit were Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang, Chieng Jin Ek, Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau, Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) councillor Kevin Lau, Sibu District Education Officer Lau Ngie Tung, SJKC Chung Hua Management Board chairman Robert Chew and headmaster Huong Yew Ho. – DayakDaily
