BETONG: A total of 914 preschool and primary school pupils in the Bukit Saban constituency received school assistance under the back-to-school programme, as part of the Sarawak government’s efforts to support education in rural areas.
The programme was officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at Dewan Sadok, SK St John Nanga Tiga, with students from seven schools in Bukit Saban benefiting from the initiative.
Uggah said the assistance was aimed at easing the financial burden on families at the start of the new academic term, while ensuring pupils in rural communities continue to have access to basic educational needs.
He stressed that education remains a cornerstone of Sarawak’s long-term development and called on parents and teachers to work closely together to help students in rural areas excel in their studies.
Uggah also encouraged students to strive for academic success so that they can benefit from the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education scheme introduced by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
During the event, he announced several education-related allocations, including RM1.3 million for the reconstruction of the boarding house at SK St John Nanga Tiga and RM200,000 for the reconstruction of teachers’ quarters at the same school.
Each of the seven primary schools in Bukit Saban will receive RM10,000 for the purchase of reading materials, while the Parents and Teachers Association (PIBG) of SK St John Nanga Tiga was allocated RM30,000, with RM20,000 each allocated to the PIBG of the other six schools.
In addition, three smart boards will be provided to each of the seven schools to support digital learning and enhance classroom teaching.
The schools involved are SK Nanga Gayau, SJKC Chung Hua Spaoh, SK St John Nanga Tiga, SK Penom, SK Spaoh, SK Suri and SK Paku Central.
Also present were a political secretary to the Premier, Roseline Mapong, headmaster of SK St John Nanga Tiga Entinggi Migat, Betong District Education Office representative Emparie Tom, JKR Betong divisional engineer Jason Ng, community leaders, headmasters from the participating schools, as well as parents and teachers.
