By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 24: The first Yayasan Sarawak International School (YSISS) in Kuching opened its doors in April 2022 with 111 students with the goal of providing quality international education to bright students from across Sarawak, particularly those from low-income families and rural areas.
According to Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, the first YSISS, located in Petra Jaya, began operations in April 2022, with 111 students as its first intake.
“Out of these, we have 80 boarders and 31 day-scholars, and 60 per cent of the students are from the B40 group, 30 per cent from M40, and 10 per cent from T20.
“Those students who had been offered placement at the school had sat for the Entrance Assessment Test,” he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
He stated that the Sarawak government provides full scholarship for those in the B40, while those in the M40 and T20 pay a small monthly fee.
Sagah explained that the school’s enrollment fell short of the target of 200 students, which could be attributed to parents, particularly in rural areas, who are hesitant to send their children to schools far from home, despite the Sarawak government covering all school expenses.
“We urge educators and parents alike to support this initiative by encouraging their students and children to enroll in the school, should they qualify.
“In this respect, we are also working very hard to get the other YSISS built and operational in Semenggoh, Sibu, Miri, and Bintulu, so that students throughout Sarawak, particularly those from the low-income group, have the opportunity to receive quality education, closer to their homes,” he added. — DayakDaily
