KUCHING, June 22: Sarawak Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Batu Kawah assemblyman has allocated over RM9.2 million in education funding to various schools in the Batu Kawah constituency, in accordance with the philosophy of common development of varied education.
According to a statement from the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), the beneficiary schools include Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) (SJK (C)), Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan (SRK), Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) and Chinese independent middle schools.
“There is a saying in Chinese: ‘No matter how poor you are, you can’t be poor in education'”.
“Due to schools now gradually emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic and resuming their class lessons, Dr Sim has started visiting schools in his constituency last week, and handed over the first half year’s education fund to each school’s management for the usage of purchasing required teaching materials and funding for their events.
“During today’s education funding handover to SJK(C) and SRK schools, in addition to caring for the overall development of the schools, Dr Sim also became aware of the number of students and various problems faced by the schools,” SUPP said.
SUPP mentioned that Dr Sim reiterated that the Sarawak government values the development of all vernacular schools in the State, and that in addition to funding for Chinese independent middle schools each year, the Sarawak government also gives funds for Chinese education.
Furthermore, SUPP noted that this year, as much as RM10 million has been allocated to Chinese independent middle schools and RM12 million for Chinese education.
“Since Dr Sim was elected as Batu Kawah assemblyman in 2016, he has consistently given out education funding twice a year to schools in his constituency and will allocate additional funding to those schools which need to upgrade their infrastructure.
“The funding consists of the government’s allocation to the assemblyman, special allocation from the Prime Minister, special allocation from the Sarawak Premier, Federal government’s funding, constituency’s development fund, as well as the special allocation from the Sarawak government,” SUPP disclosed. — DayakDaily
