Schooling challenges of big families noted
Published on: Saturday, August 10, 2024
By: Clarence Dol
Dr. Joachim (seated third left) with guests and SMK Timbua students who attended the event.
RANAU: The government is concerned about the problems faced by parents and guardians who are less able to provide children the needs and comfort while studying at school, said Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Seri Dr. Joachim Gunsalam.
According to him, this situation is felt most by parents and guardians when the school season starts, especially families with a large number of children.
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“The government is also committed to the development of education in this State by providing educational assistance from the primary school level to the university level.
“This is because the government knows how important education is to the development of a country,” he said when officiating the Special Assistance Scheme Presentation Ceremony (SBK) Yayasan Sabah Group for 2024 at SMK Timbua, here, Friday.
Dr. Joachim, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Housing, added that a higher level of education will have an impact on the development of the country.
“Because individuals with high quality thinking can improve not only the economic sector but other sectors such as administration, health and national security in the long term.
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“Education will also improve the quality of human resources by providing the knowledge and skills needed to compete not only in the national market but in the international market,” he said.
He added that this generation will shape the future of the country and further develop Sabah, but more importantly, he also believes that education is an important component in changing the socioeconomics of a family.
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Dr Joachim, who is also Kundasang Assemblyman, went on to say that, an increase in individual education will have an impact on increased opportunities to get better jobs.
“When getting a better job, this will reduce poverty in the family and will increase purchasing power in everyday life.
“Therefore, the students present today need to have a target and determination to get out of the cocoon of family hardship by working hard in learning at school.
“I also want to remind children that they must not fail to come to school and focus fully on their studies,” he said.
He urged them to take advantage of all the opportunities available to continue to gain knowledge and make school a place to hone their talents and build experience as best as possible so that they become a successful person.
“Education is one of the most effective instruments to get out of the cocoon of poverty.
“Try to be the best because in today’s competitive world only the best will succeed. I believe that all students are generally capable of being skilled, able to compete in the global world, then become excellent citizens in life and maybe one day will be a respected leader,” he said.
Dr. Joachim, who is also a recipient of the Yayasan Sabah Scholarship, thanked the Yayasan Sabah Group for donating essential items in the form of SPM reference book sets and scientific calculators to 50 underprivileged students at the school.
Believing that this contribution can to some extent benefit the students who deserve this assistance, he hopes that the assistance from the Sabah Foundation Group can be a catalyst for student excellence, especially in the academic field.
This Special Assistance Scheme aims to help reduce the burden of the poorest student families, B40 families and parents receiving e-kasih assistance through the provision of learning support assistance.
He said Yayasan Sabah offers scholarships for sixth form students, Diploma level, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees as well as scholarships only for UiTM students.
The government also offers the State Government Scholarship, Sabah State President’s Award Scholarship (TYT) and Sabah State Government Excellence Scholarship (BKNS).
“Under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), there are also other aids such as Special Examination Cash Assistance (BAKTI), Sabah Computer ?hsan Assistance (BAIK) - 1 computer 1 house; Teacher and Parent Activities Assistance (GOOD),” said Dr. Joachim.
Also present were the wife of Dr Joachim, Datin Seri Linda Ewit; Chief Administrator of the South West Coast Zone, Yayasan Sabah, Linda Anthony; Principal of SMK Timbua, Dr. Marcus Shapie; Community Development Leader, Dounis Sani and teachers.
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