By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 20: The Sarawak government has allocated RM3 billion to implement comprehensive education initiatives across the State over the next five years, including fully subsidising tuition fees at four State-owned higher learning institutions and providing an annual living allowance of RM15,000 for eligible students.
According to a TVS news report, Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Sarawak, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, said the allocation reflects the State’s firm commitment to ensuring that Sarawakian students can pursue quality education without financial barriers.
“Premier Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg himself has guaranteed the State’s willingness to bear this significant cost so that our children can receive the best education possible,” he said during the ‘Raikan Lebaran’ celebration with the Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) at the Daro Community Hall in Daro today.
He emphasised that financial constraints will no longer hinder Sarawakian students from pursuing their studies, as only academic qualification is now required to be eligible for the free education schemes.
“I urge everyone — parents, teachers, parent-teacher associations (PTAs), and communities — to play their part in helping students meet the necessary academic criteria to seize these free education opportunities.
“We are fortunate to have a visionary leader like the Premier of Sarawak. This opportunity was not promised in any election manifesto, but given out of genuine recognition of the importance of education for the future of our state,” he added.
Dr Annuar also revealed that the number of students at the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) has surged to over 5,000 — a fivefold increase from about 1,000 previously — due to tuition fee reductions of up to 50 per cent, with a notable rise in Bumiputera enrolment.
He further highlighted that Sarawak’s education aid qualification system is more equitable, assessing eligibility based on household income per capita rather than rigid categories like B40 or M40.
“For instance, if a household earns RM10,000 a month but has 10 children, the per capita income is RM1,000 — and that still qualifies for aid. This system is inclusive and non-discriminatory,” he explained, noting that eligible students may also receive RM1,200 annually in pocket money.
To further boost academic performance, Dr Annuar said the State has launched the Free Tuition Programme under the Sarawak Educational Enhancement Programme (SEEP), targeting Form 3 to Form 5 students who score below 40 marks in specific subjects, with a particular focus on rural students.
“At the moment, we are identifying factors behind poor tuition attendance, such as transport issues, lack of food, and other challenges — and we’ll assist where needed. If students are hungry, we can’t expect them to concentrate on their studies,” he said.
Also present at the event were Igan MP Ahmad Johnie Zawawi and Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad. — DayakDaily
