Large allocations show Sabah committed to developing education sector, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is committed towards developing the education sector including its infrastructure in the state in order to produce quality human capital, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

“This is because with the best education, we would be able to change the people’s quality of life,” said the Chief Minister during the Sabah Education Department’s School Management Appreciation Ceremony (Mapens) 2023 here on Thursday (Aug 17).

“This will ultimately contribute to the success and excellence of the country, especially the state of Sabah.

“It is also in line with the development plan of Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) which emphasises the development of human capital,” he added.

Hajiji said among the allocations by the state was RM12mil to help 1,600 schools through the Sabah School Aid Programme (Bisbah)

Besides that, as much as RM4mil was allocated under the Small School Maintenance Assistance (Balkis), he added.

The programme, he added, was introduced this year to help with repairs and maintenance involving costs below RM50,000.

According to him, in order to empower science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the state, the government had allocated RM250,000 for the Fiesta STEM programme.

The construction of a RM3mil Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Centre at the Keningau Library was expected to be completed by the end of 2023, Hajijji added.

“Under the state Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, the government is also planning to implement a high impact project which is the construction of the Sabah Science Centre in Kota Kinabalu.

“On the other hand, the construction of STI centres in the Tawau and Sandakan districts are worth more than RM10.2mil,” he said, adding these were funded by PETRONAS.

He said the government through the Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry has also provided funds amounting to RM320,000 for the creation of 16 science corners in primary schools statewide.

A total of RM280,000 was allocated as well for the rehabilitation of secondary school science laboratories this year, he added.

At the same time, Hajiji said, the state was continuing to implement its existing education assistance initiatives such as the institutions of higher learning registration one-off cash assistance (Budi) programme, computer assistance programme (Baik) and examination cash assistance (Bakti), among others.

“The state government will continue to work hand in hand with the Federal Government to ensure that the duties, roles and responsibilities in providing education to the people are carried out with full responsibility and dedication,” he said.