SERIAN: Efforts are continuing to secure greater administrative autonomy over education in Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
According to Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, considerable progress has already been achieved in education-related negotiations under MA63.
“We are working hard to obtain greater administrative autonomy so that we can assist in managing the education of our children in Sarawak.
“Under our MA63 negotiations on education, we have achieved a lot, and we will continue these efforts because we want to prioritise the well-being of our children for the future,” she said.
She said this at the closing ceremony for Projek Ilhman organised by Sarawak Students Association-UK (SSA-UK) and SABERKAS Samariang branch at SK Puruh Karu, Serian, yesterday (Aug 26).
Sharifah Hasidah said education was among the most important foundations in preparing young Sarawakians to eventually take responsibility for the state’s development.
She said this was particularly important as Sarawak pursued its ambition of becoming a developed and high-income state by 2030 under the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“To achieve a developed Sarawak by 2030, we need Sarawakian children who are knowledgeable and who have the spirit to fight for Sarawak.
“This needs to be nurtured from a young age. We need to guide them so that they can help make Sarawak a developed and prosperous state by 2030,” she said.
Sharifah Hasidah also highlighted the state government’s free tertiary education initiative as an important opportunity for Sarawakian students to obtain quality higher education.
She urged students to take advantage of the initiative, particularly those who may not have the opportunity to pursue their studies overseas.
“If they cannot go overseas, they can study in our own state for free without having to pay.
“Take this opportunity to ensure that our children receive the best education,” she said.
She added that Sarawak’s future economy would require young people equipped with knowledge and skills in emerging sectors, including hydrogen, solar energy, engineering and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Schools, she said, also had an important role in ensuring students were not left behind and could eventually benefit from the opportunities being created by the state.
Sharifah Hasidah said Sarawak’s development agenda was anchored on three pillars: economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability, with young Sarawakians ultimately expected to carry the state’s aspirations forward.
“What the Premier is doing now is for the future of Sarawak.
“It would be a great loss if our young people do not seize the opportunities available to continue the legacy being built by our leaders today,” she said.
Meanwhile, she commended SSA-UK members for initiating Projek Ilham to share their experiences and motivate younger students.
She said the initiative demonstrated that Sarawakian students studying abroad were not only academically capable but also possessed a strong sense of responsibility towards their community.
“When we are able to produce students like these, not only academically capable but also possessing the spirit to help society, then I see a very bright future for us,” she said.
She also announced a RM5,000 grant to the SK Burok Karu Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG).
