KUCHING, April 21: The Sarawak government is about seven times more generous than the Federal government in terms of fund allocation for the Chinese independent schools.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Dudong branch chairman Wong Ching Yong said this when describing the recent RM15.75 million allocation from the federal government as “a drop in the bucket”.
Yesterday (April 20), Federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the government has approved RM15.75 million for 63 Chinese independent schools nationwide.
Breaking down the total amount, Wong deduced that each school will be getting about RM250,000, which he viewed to be insufficient.
“Numbers don’t lie. First, the Federal government allocates RM15.75 million to 63 Chinese independent schools across the country.
“There are about 80,000 students in these schools across the country and each student will receive an average of only RM197.
“Meanwhile, there are 14 Chinese independent high schools in Sarawak, with about 7,800 students. The Sarawak government allocated RM10 million last year, and each student received an average of RM1,282,” he said in a statement today.
Holding that the RM15.75 million is inevitably insufficient, Wong however said it came as “a small piece of good news”.
“The allocation of federal funding is still a welcome for these Chinese independent schools, but it is just not enough,” said Wong. — DayakDaily
