SIBU, Nov 12 — The Sarawak government has allocated a total of RM2.174 billion to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research (MESTR) since its establishment in 2017, thus reflecting the state government’s commitment in making education one of its investments in human capital.

State Education, Science and Technological Research Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee said even though education came under the federal government, such as in terms of budget and policy, the state government did not leave the responsibility to the federal government alone.

He said MESTR was established for the first time under the leadership of Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to improve the academic performance of students in Sarawak, which is far behind, especially  based on the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results. 

"This is part of  the state government’s initiatives to catch up. That’s why our ministry is not a ministry which is going to implement policies, but it is a ministry to supplement and complement, to help the federal government in whatever we can to speed up the progress of education in Sarawak.

"We are committed to enhance the education development in Sarawak. We do not want to be left behind in Sarawak,” he told Bernama in an interview recently.  

He said that the first task of MESTR was to address the issue of dilapidated schools, involving a total of 1,020 schools in the state, as well as enhance the standard and quality of education in Sarawak. 

According to Dr Annuar, there are eight initiatives implemented by the Sarawak government under MESTR since 2017, one of which was to repair or upgrade school infrastructure and facilities, involving a total allocation of RM1.4 billion.

"From this RM1.4 billion, RM1billion was advance payment to the federal government to pay for the repair of dilapidated schools in the state. 

"Meanwhile, we allocated RM4 million for assistance to schools affected by floods. We have more than 200 schools which are affected by floods every year because they are near riverbanks.

"So, to us, instead of repairing the schools after the flood, we prefer the schools to be built somewhere new,” he added.  

He said the Sarawak government also allocated RM11.82 million for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for school leaders and teachers.

"We allocated RM37 million for the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and English language. 

"Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia which uses the English Language (STEM)  totally as a medium of instruction for Year  1 (2020) and now we are in Year 2,” he said. 

He said the state government also allocated RM300 million for the establishment of Sarawak International Secondary Schools, as well as workforce development and promotion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (RM10.7 million).

Others included the establishment of Sarawak Science Centre (RM200 million) and establishment of Sarawak Research Development Council and Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (RM211 million), he added. — Bernama