SIBU: Sarawak is using its own funds to improve infrastructure and facilities for rural schools, including taking over the maintenance of logging roads to provide better access to remote educational institutions.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the State Government recognised that good infrastructure was crucial in supporting teachers and students, particularly those in schools located in remote areas.
“For our schools that are scattered across the area, within three years we will have a road connecting Miri to Marudi, Marudi to Long Teru, Long Teru to Long Panai, and Long Panai to Long Lapa,” he said when officiating at the 61st Sarawak Secondary School Principals’ School Management Conference today.
Abang Johari said the road network would provide better access to rural schools and enable students to travel to Miri for essential services, including vaccinations.
He said that the State would also take over the maintenance of logging roads used to access rural schools, which would ease difficulties faced by schools that currently depend on roads owned by logging companies.
“At present, this is a problem because if they use roads owned by logging companies, they have to seek permission and, in some cases, pay toll.
“Therefore, as Sarawak’s financial position is stronger today, we will take over the maintenance of these roads. They will serve as important links to our rural schools,” he said.
He added that the State would continue improving electricity, water supply and other infrastructure to provide teachers serving in remote areas with better working conditions and easier access to district education offices and essential services.
“Indeed, in Sarawak, we sometimes have to use our own funds. We have built schools using Sarawak’s own funds because we believe that education is an investment in our people’s future,” he said.
Abang Johari said the dedication of teachers serving in remote areas was commendable and that the State Government had a responsibility to provide them with the support, facilities and infrastructure they deserved.
Beyond improving school infrastructure, he said the State Government remained committed to expanding access to higher education, particularly for students from working class and less privileged families.
He said RM260 million had been allocated this year to support eligible Sarawakian students pursuing higher education in Sarawak, with about 10,000 students expected to benefit.
He expressed hope that Sarawakians studying in 64 fields, including science, finance, banking, law and security, would eventually return to contribute to the State’s development.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s ability to finance these initiatives was underpinned by prudent financial management, with the State’s annual revenue more than doubling from about RM7 billion when he assumed office as Chief Minister in 2017 to its present level.
He attributed the State’s stronger financial position to high integrity and prudent financial management, including the establishment of a sovereign fund that would continue to grow.
“The fund cannot be touched for 20 years under the laws that we have passed. It will continue to grow and, God-willing, our children’s future will be financially secure,” he said.
He stressed that Sarawak needed people capable of managing its resources responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
“That is why economic knowledge is important – how we manage our resources and how we plan for the future,” he said.
At the function, Abang Johari presented a mock cheque for RM150,000 to Sarawak Secondary School Principals Association which was received by its president, Ujai Sambau.
