By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 13: A total of RM471,531 was handed over from the Sarawak government through the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) to four mission schools—SK St Mary, SMK St Mary, SK St Thomas, and SMK St Thomas—during a ceremony here recently.
According to a press release, UNIFOR deputy director Caroline Chen Tze Yian presented the cheques, witnessed by Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
A breakdown of the Sarawak government’s 2026 annual financial grants to mission schools is as follows:
- SK St Mary: RM129,575, received by headmistress, Janet Tikut.
- SMK St Mary: RM111,000, received by senior assistant for student affairs, Hong Boon Ling.
- SK St Thomas: RM150,000, received by headmaster, Ruddi Juing.
- SMK St Thomas: RM80,956, received by headmaster, Silvester Roy Daud.
From 2021 to 2025, the four schools had collectively received RM4,926,506 in financial assistance from the Sarawak government, benefiting the schools with a combined enrolment of 2,280 students and 236 teachers and staff.
Dr Sim expressed his appreciation to the school boards, principals, headmasters, teachers, and staff for their continued dedication and contributions to education and Sarawak’s nation-building efforts.
He reiterated that the Sarawak government remains committed to supporting education and ensuring that students from all communities have access to a conducive learning environment.
Recognising the important role of mission schools in providing quality education and contributing to Sarawak’s development, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg introduced annual financial assistance for mission schools in 2021, initially allocating RM20 million annually.
In recent years, the allocation has been increased to RM30 million per year to help the school board carry out infrastructure development and upgrading works.
This is in addition to the RM90 million annual allocation through UNIFOR for infrastructure assistance to churches, temples, and other non-Islamic houses of worship. Together, the Sarawak government provides RM110 million annually through UNIFOR to support mission schools and religious institutions. — DayakDaily
