KUCHING: Sekolah Tunas Bakti provides children with opportunities to rebuild their lives through rehabilitation, education and skills development, helping them pursue brighter futures without being defined by past mistakes.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said that Sekolah Tunas Bakti (STB) should not be viewed as a place of punishment but as an opportunity for rehabilitation and personal growth.
“Everyone makes mistakes, but those mistakes should not determine their entire future. What matters is how we move forward.
“Sekolah Tunas Bakti is not merely a form of punishment. We want these children to see it as a second chance to rebuild their lives,” she said during the Ngiling Bidai Ceremony 2026 at Sekolah Tunas Bakti Kuching, here, today (July 13).
Fatimah also highlighted that students who graduate from STB will not have a criminal record attached to their profiles, giving them a significant advantage when pursuing employment.
“Without a criminal record, they can move forward with greater confidence and have better opportunities to secure jobs in the future,” she said.
She encouraged students to continue their education and skills training after leaving the institution, pointing to the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) as one of the available pathways.
“CENTEXS is a Sarawak government-owned institution, offering a wide range of skills certificate and diploma programmes regardless of age, allowing students to pursue courses based on their interests through its campuses across the state.
“With CENTEXS graduate employability rate of 90 per cent, obtaining recognised qualifications and employment opportunities can significantly boost students’ confidence and self-esteem,” she said.
Fatimah said the state has continued to support Sekolah Tunas Bakti Kuching through annual grants to ensure the sustainability of its welfare and educational programmes.
“The institution received RM57,725 in 2024, RM75,990 in 2025, and RM51,990 as of June this year.
“These efforts are aimed at ensuring the continuity of welfare and educational programmes while strengthening cooperation between the government and the community, so these children can eventually contribute positively,” she said.
With Sekolah Tunas Bakti Kuching currently housing 45 students and 10 students for Asrama Akhlak Lelaki Kuching, these two institutions have implemented 81 activities in 2024, 70 activities for 2025 and so far 37 activities have been implemented throughout 2026.
Director of Sarawak Social Welfare Department, Semawi Mohamad stated that the organisation of these activities is mostly the result of the approval of State government grants to the Board of Visitors of this institution.
“The presence of the students in this institution not only provides an opportunity to build a brighter future, but also reflects the government’s commitment in ensuring that every child receives appropriate attention, guidance, and support.
“The institution offers Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) classes, literacy and numeracy (3M) classes, basic skills training, as well as motivational, community, sports and counselling programmes to develop students’ character, discipline and mental resilience,” he said.
This effort is in line with the concept of comprehensive recovery, thus opening up space for them to be reintegrated into society as resilient, disciplined individuals, and able to contribute positively.
