SANDAKAN: The State Government, through Yayasan Sabah Group, continues to strengthen the inclusive education agenda with the handing over of State Education Fund (TPNS) assistance to top-performing and needy students at the Libaran Multipurpose Hall, here, Tuesday.
The ceremony was officiated by State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who is also the Chairman of the TPNS Implementation Committee.
Also present was Yayasan Sabah Director cum TPNS Deputy Executive Chairman Datuk Seri Gulamhaidar.
A total of 39 top-performing students consisting of 16 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students, two Malaysian University English Test (Muet) students, 17 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) students and four STPM (rural school) students received RM1,000 each, as well as RM500 for each rural STPM student to help alleviate their financial burden in pursuing higher education.
In addition, a total of 441 students from the B40 group received a one-off financial aid, consisting of 17 students from Sandakan Polytechnic, 143 from the Sandakan Industrial Training Institute (ILP), 35 from Sandakan Community College, 51 from the Sandakan TVET Skills College, 104 undergraduates from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), two postgraduate students from UMS, 86 students from the Open University Malaysia (OUM) Sandakan Learning Centre and three students from higher education institutions within the Sandakan district.
At the same event, a total of 50 students also received assistance in the form of eyeglasses. Three schools received the Adopted School Assistance - SK Sungai Manila, Sandakan and SK Pulau Timbang, Sandakan, with each receiving RM5,000, and SMK Tongod (RM10,000). Sekolah Pondok Miftahussalam Sandakan received RM6,500.
Arifin also presented the Sandakan District Student Icon Honorarium to Mohammad Azmir bin Misnani in recognition of his outstanding achievements in both academic and co-curricular activities.
In the same event, educational assistance was also provided to students through several existing initiatives including the School Effort Encouragement Assistance (Bagus), the General Student Excellence Scheme (Sukses), Special Examination Assistance (Bakti) and the Best Student Incentive Aid (Bistari), as part of ongoing efforts to support the development of the State’s talent resources.
TPNS is a proactive initiative by the State Government through the Yayasan Sabah Group in an effort to ease the financial burden of low-income families.
It also reflects the commitment to ensure that education is accessible to all segments of society.
