THE Sarawak government has reaffirmed its policy to allocate at least 50 per cent of placements in Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary Schools to students from rural areas.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn assured that students from underprivileged groups, particularly those in rural communities, will be given opportunities to access the same quality education as their urban counterparts.
“Therefore, the issue of competing with their city counterparts does not arise,” he said during his ministerial winding up speech today.
On the same note, Sagah asserted that various initiatives are underway to improve schools in Sarawak, including the construction and upgrading of facilities under the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans.
He said the construction of SK Batang Lassa has been approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan, Rolling Plan 5, with work expected to commence in 2026.
“Similarly, SK Issu Bangat will undergo upgrading under the 12th Malaysia Plan, Rolling Plan 2.
“As for SK Nanga Lidong, SK Nanga Menjuau, SK Entalau Ulu Skrang, SK Nanga Tebat and SK Kem Skrang, the Sarawak Education Department (JPNS) will bid for upgrading of these schools under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
“Although no schools in Krian are covered by the RM100 million rural school improvement project, SMK Agama Saratok and SK Sungai Entebu have been approved for upgrading under the 12th Malaysia Plan, Rolling Plans 4 and 5, respectively,” he said.
On the same note, Sagah said that a proposed Vocational College project in Kalaka constituency remains in the planning stage, with site identification ongoing.
For Bau district, a new secondary school, SMK Batu Kitang, has been proposed under the 13th Malaysia Plan, Rolling Plan 1, to alleviate congestion at SMK Paku.
Additionally, he noted that the delayed planning processes for SMK Serian 2 and SK Sri Sadong are attributed to unforeseen technical issues, including site identification challenges and tender prices exceeding the project ceiling.
Sagah assured that the state will rebid both projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan, Rolling Plan 2.
“MEITD is also addressing overcrowding at SK St Patrick Tangga and SK Serian by seeking immediate action from the Ministry of Education (MoE),” he added.
Meanwhile, SMK Mendamit has been encouraged to apply for the introduction of pure science subjects for Forms 4 and 5 students.
Addressing the lack of science facilities in primary schools, Sagah emphasised that the Sarawak government is building centralised science laboratories while awaiting further action from MoE.
Efforts are also ongoing to support special needs students in Meradong, where 21 students await further assessment by specialists from Sarikei Hospital, with follow-up appointments scheduled for Jan 10, 2025.
