By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 29: The Sarawak government has set aside an allocation totalling RM43 million in the Sarawak Budget 2023 to implement projects under the purview of the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) next year.
Its minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn said RM20 million would be used to kickstart the construction of the Sarawak Science Centre, a further RM20 million for the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre, RM2 million for the Sarawak Bio-industrial Park and RM1 million for the Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English Programme.
“Even though education falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal government, the Sarawak government, being a responsible government, has always placed top priority for matters on education.
“These are evident through the various efforts that my Ministry has put forth in these past five years, be it in terms of improving the physical development of schools which includes upgrading and rebuilding of school blocks; provision of treated water and reliable electricity supply; provision of continuous professional development programmes to our educators; and organising of students-centric activities, among others,” he said when presenting his ministerial winding up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
He further said MEITD will ensure that the issues of dilapidated schools, insufficient facilities and amenities, relocation and building of new schools raised by the elected representatives in DUN sitting, are brought to the attention for immediate consideration by the Ministry of Education Malaysia and to pursue the matters until they are resolved.
“Regarding the 11 schools mentioned by Ba’Kelalan assemblyman (Baru Bian), they are being implemented and monitored by Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA). All projects are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2024,” he added. — DayakDaily
