SPAOH: Students from rural areas are encouraged to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this is due to the growing demand for technical workers in Sarawak’s expanding industrial sector.
“There are now ample places offering STEM education. Plus, the Sarawak government is also providing free tertiary education in all its own universities by 2026, students should take full advantage of this privilege,” he said.
He said when officiating at the closing of a SPM 2024 Excellence Seminar for 177 students of the SMK Spaoh here yesterday (Aug 10).
On their coming examination, Uggah then offered an incentive of RM2,000.00 each to any students of the school scoring 10As.
On another note, Uggah thanked the Education Ministry for allowing local elected representatives to offer assistance to schools without now seeking its prior approval.
“This wise decision will allow our schools to have better facilities. When schools have good facilities, it will create a very conducive and safe environment for students to concentrate on their studies.
“When they can study well, they can perform better,” he said.
At the function, he also announced a grant of RM350,000 from the Betong Division Development Agency to upgrade the school’s internal roads.
He also announced another grant of RM15,000 from his Minor Rural Project fund to upgrade the school hall.
In her speech earlier, Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Sarawak (SABATI) deputy chairperson Datuk Doreen Mayang, who is also Uggah’s wife, advised the students not to shy away from asking their teachers questions related to their subjects.
“The teachers, they are there to help and they trained and are the experts.
“Make full use of their knowledge to add on to and improve your own knowledge,” said Doreen, who is also the programme supervisor for rural schools in Bukit Saban.
Earlier, the one-day seminar was jointly organised by the SABATI and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) with the cooperation of the Bukit Saban Constituency Service Centre and the school.
