PUSA: Under achievement at school is preventing some Sarawakian students from pursuing higher education.
This has to do with their inability to meet the entry requirements to study in higher education institutions (IPT), said a concerned Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development, Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapaee.
He pointed out that despite the provision of financial support, an achievement gap persists, especially among Sarawak students who do not meet the entry requirements.
“The true issue behind this educational gap is the academic performance of Sarawak students, who fail to meet the criteria for IPT admission.
“It’s not a matter of financial constraints, as the government has provided significant assistance to ensure that Sarawak students are not left behind in their education,” he said.
He said this during the launch of the Sarawak government’s Educational Initiatives Sharing Session for the Parent and Teacher Association (PIBG) of schools in the Betong District, which took place at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Beladin on Saturday.
To mitigate this issue, Dr. Annuar revealed that the Sarawak government has introduced free tuition and additional coaching classes in schools to support students struggling with specific subjects.
He also urged parents to fully back this initiative for the sake of their children’s educational future.
“Parental encouragement is vital to supporting the government’s efforts, as without it, these initiatives will be ineffective and ultimately benefit no one,” he added.
The Sarawak government, he said, is steadfast in its commitment to advancing education within the state,without solely depending on federal government efforts.
According to Dr. Annuar , several initiatives have been introduced, including providing allowances and laptops to higher education institution (IPT) students, as well as assistance to partially settle the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans for Sarawak students.
Earlier, Beting Maro assemblyman, Razaili Gapor, reminded parents not to solely depend on teachers to educate their children but to take an active role in their children’s education at home.
He stressed that the success of children’s education requires collaboration between schools and families, with parents playing a crucial role in creating a supportive learning environment at home.
At the event, Dr. Annuar, on behalf of his ministry, also contributed RM5,000 to SK Beladin and SK Maludam.
