MULU: Efforts to strengthen rural education received a boost with the launch of the 2025 Back to School programme and STEM Fiesta at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Batu Bunga here Monday (Nov 17).
The initiative officially launched by Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, saw 92 students receive school supplies through the initiative, a collaborative effort between PETRONAS, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), and the Sarawak State Education Department (JPNS).
Gerawat said the programme goes beyond material aid, providing moral support and encouragement to children in remote areas.
“The ‘Back to School’ programme is about planting hope and showing rural children that their future remains a priority,” he said, expressing appreciation to PETRONAS and SEB for their ongoing commitment to education in line with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
On the STEM Fiesta, he said it featured nine STEM showcases and four creative competitions including Water Rocket, Balloon Car, Titanic Structure, and Spaghetti Tower, involving both students and parents to make learning more engaging and inclusive.
“A virtual competition involving 68 primary schools in Baram was also organised, expanding participation despite location and infrastructure differences,” he said.
Gerawat described the initiative as a high-impact effort in nurturing a technologically literate generation, highlighting the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in providing rural communities with access to quality education.
“STEM is not just a subject; it is the foundation of our children’s future competitiveness,” he said, acknowledging support from agencies including the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak (MIETD).
Earlier, PETRONAS Sarawak general manager Norazibah Md Rabu said the programme aimed at reducing the financial burden on families, enabling students to attend school with confidence and without feeling overwhelmed.
“It is also to provide opportunities for underprivileged students to continue engaging in learning, so that one day they may become meaningful contributors to society and the state,” she said.
She added that more than 1,000 students across the state have benefited from the programme.
“In Bario and Mulu alone, 361 students received assistance, including 92 students from SK Batu Bungan today.
“This is a small effort that makes a big impact—an initiative that sparks the spirit of learning while easing the burden on families,” she said.
