KUCHING: Sarawak needs adequate federal funding to equip schools with proper science laboratories and modern facilities to prepare students for the challenges of the digital and artificial intelligence (AI) era.
Asked on his hopes for the upcoming federal Budget 2026, Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn stressed that many schools, especially in rural areas, still lack basic science labs, making it difficult to cultivate students’ interest in science and technology.
“Now that we are talking about technology, digitalisation, and the need for more scientists, some schools still don’t have science labs.
“How do you produce more scientists without science labs?” he told reporters after officiating at the closing of the Career Message System (SPEAK) Phase 2 programme at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre today.
Sagah said he hopes the upcoming budget will provide sufficient allocation to improve school infrastructure and learning facilities across Sarawak.
He noted that several school projects approved under the 10th, 11th and 12th Malaysia Plans have yet to be implemented, while some were even dropped, leaving many schools in poor condition.
Beyond education, Sagah also called for more federal investment in infrastructure such as roads, which are crucial for connectivity and educational access.
“You cannot just rely on the state government, even though the state government has been doing a lot in terms of connectivity,” he added.
The upcoming Budget 2026 is set to be tabled by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Oct 9).
On another note, in a recent news report, federal Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said school safety will be a key priority for the Education Ministry for the upcoming budget.
She said the ministry’s other focus areas include Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) development, anti-bullying support initiatives, digital and technology matters, Curriculum 2027 preparations and a new education development plan.
“There are several important matters, including TVET, which we will focus on more specifically, in the context of looking at the current national priorities, needs, and direction,” she said this recently.
