KUCHING: The formation of Education Trust Board is Sarawak’s own proactive way and initiative to better the education standard in the state, said Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
Snowdan, who is also the Youth and Sport assistant minister, added he fully supported the initiative by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to set up an Education Trust Board in his own constituency, Bukit Saban.
“This will go a long way in assisting our children’s parents, the target groups, especially those in the rural areas and the lower income group such as farmers and general workers.
“This will also help to alleviate their financial burden while encouraging their children to seek the highest education level possible,” added Snowdan when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune.
The assistant minister pointed out children in the rural areas needed help in purchasing workbooks, stationery, text books, calculators, other study materials and even school uniforms as well as payment of tuition fees for extra classes.
Snowdan agreed that it would be good for his constituency, Balai Ringin, which had one secondary school and 19 primary schools, to set up an Education Trust Board as well.
“With this Education Trust Board, those who excel can receive incentives and the needy aid regularly.
“This is Sarawak’s own proactive way and initiative to better the education standard at the onset rather than wait for the federal government’s assistance, a wait that can never end despite the fact that education comes under their jurisdiction,” he added.
Apart from that, Snowdan said it would be good if the other state assembly members could emulate this initiative for their respective constituencies, too.
He suggested that the state pursue the fundings for the Education Trust Boards from Petronas so that the children would have a fair share of the “black gold” sourced from the belly of our motherland, Sarawak.
“I am perplexed why Universiti Technology Petronas (UTP) was built in Seri Iskandar, Perak and not in Bintulu, Sarawak, where the precious “black gold” is produced daily.
“It is hoped that all Sarawakians will stand with one voice in pursuing this noble cause,” he concluded.
