KUCHING: Sarawakians graduating with Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) from Chinese middle schools can look forward to free tertiary education in state-owned higher learning institutions by 2026, said the Premier.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said with UEC graduates facing difficulties entering matriculation, the state government wants to ensure that they too will not be out from enjoying free tertiary education.
“We want to give free university education to all eligible Sarawakians in our Sarawak universities. This means that once they complete secondary school with UEC, they can apply into Sarawak universities.
“The parents do not have to worry about the cost because it will be free, the government will be the one paying for it,” he said when officiating at SM Pei Min new building block here.
Sarawak has recognised UEC since 2014.
Abang Johari said this is one of the ways the Sarawak government shares its revenue with the people.
“My job and the job of my Cabinet team is to find the money for Sarawak. So far so good. When our revenue goes up, we share with the rakyat.
“We share through education. When our people are educated, they will have no problem finding ways to earn a living.”
He said Sarawakians are lucky because there is no problem in implementing educational policies for the people.
“Other places have problems with vernacular schools, very sensitive issue… but Sarawak? No problem, no issue. When schools need assistance, we give assistance,” he said.
Touching on SM Pei Min’s new building block, Abang Johari said it reflects unity among all races and those in need of government assistance.
“I was informed by the school chairman that they are also in need of a track field and the building also has some shortfall. So I spoke to chairman Hii, we can do one-to-one (funding),” he said, referring to Pei Min Middle School honorary life chairman Dato Hii King Chiong.
“They need RM5 million. So I will give RM2.5 million and with help from the alumni, he gives RM2.5 million.”
Abang Johari added that the RM2.5 million will be on top of the RM10 million allocated to Chinese aided schools annually.
He stressed that when it comes to education, the state government’s policy is inclusive.
“Our policy, we don’t give emphasis on race. Education has no race. If we want to be smart, we must study, because now we are entering the new economic policy.
“In this new economy, you have to equip yourself with modern knowledge on the new economy,” he said.
Among those present at the function were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohd Abu Bakar Marzuki; Sarawak United Association of Chinese School Boards of Management chairman Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau, Hii, and SM Pei Min board of directors chairman Khor Ooi Long.
Earlier when officiating at the opening of the relocated SJK Chiaw Nan here, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government recognises the important roles that Chinese-medium schools play in education.
He said the state government allocates RM10 million annually in support of Chinese-medium schools, which are traditionally strong in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
“We are weak in STEM subjects and that is why our government is placing strong emphasis on this, including seeing up aerospace faculty, as we need this knowledge and scientists for the new economy,” he said.
The school was relocated here from Marudi due to low student enrolment.
The Sarawak government contributed RM5.8 million to the building fund, which was also supported by generous donors.
The RM8.8 million project involves an L-shaped building for the administrative block and classrooms under the first phase, which was completed and open to around 100 pupils on July 9.
Abang Johari said Sarawak is strongly encouraging more students to take up STEM subjects to produce the pool of manpower needed to drive the new digital economy, technological fields, and renewable energy.
The state has already a racted many high-tech investments including the world’s largest chip-testing plant, he said.
“There is increasing acceptance of Chinese school education in multiracial Sarawak. My niece is in a Chinese school and, nowadays, Malays or other races can understand Chinese and this augurs well for a competitive Sarawak,” he said.
He said the recognition of China as an economic superpower and its technological prowess has driven demand for Chinese-medium education in Sarawak.
Under his watch, Abang Johari said Sarawak has provided funds to three Chinese schools for relocation under the matching grant concept, which was usually carried out with the help of Dr Sim, who is Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president.
Meanwhile, SJK Chiaw Nan school board chairperson and managing director of developer Parabena, Datuk Raziah Mahmud, said it was an honour to be able to contribute towards the advancement of education in Sarawak.
She said she did not hesitate to donate the 10-acre site for SJK Chiaw Nan when the school’s request was first presented to her by Hii.
In his speech, Hii thanked Abang Johari and the Sarawak government for supporting Chinese-medium education by contributing nearly RM6 million for the construction of the new buildings.
He also thanked Raziah for donating the site, and other generous donors who preferred to remain anonymous.
