ASSISTANCE TO CHINESE SCHOOLS
KUCHING: The Sarawak government has formed a special committee to further assist Chinese vernacular schools in the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the committee is headed by the Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
“I have formed a committee chaired by Dr Sim for us to assist the Chinese schools systematically.
“Just like Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), I will give a special budget to this committee and the fund will be used to help the schools,” he said during a Chap Goh Mei dinner organised by Kuching Chung Hua Primary 1-6 Management Committee at SJK Chung Hua No.4 here last Friday.
The chief minister said any request for improvement or development of Chinese schools would go through the committee.
“We want to provide good education to our children. And they must have the latest knowledge because this is the way for us to move forward particularly in the area of IT,” he said.
Abang Johari said it cannot be denied that the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) required the right people and talents. Hence, providing the right education to children was very important.
“I believe Sarawak has a bright future, so long as we are united. We must look after ourselves and equally important is we are building the right environment for our community to move forward,” he said.
Abang Johari (right) signs on a screen to launch the smart classroom witnessed by (from left) Dr Sim, Federation of Boards of Management for SJK Chung Hua of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions chairman Jonathan Chai, Chung Hua Primary Schools No 1 – 6 management board chairman Wong Tiong Hock and others. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni 
Abang Johari (centre) and others witness the handing over of a projector by Epson Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s managing director Daisuke Hori (second right) to Wong. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni
The chief minister announced he would add RM1 million to the RM8 million assistance making a total of RM9 million to support Chinese vernacular schools in the state.
“We have been giving assistance to Chinese schools, last year it was RM8 million. It began with RM3 million, last year it was increased to RM8 million. This year I increase it to RM9 million,” he said.
Earlier, Abang Johari also launched the school’s first smart classroom called the e-Classroom. It provides interactive teaching and learning using technology.
