DALAT: The Outstanding Boarding School Competition should serve as an example to other District Education Offices, said Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
“PPD Dalat is the only District Education Office in Sarawak organising this competition, and it should continue in the future.
“This is a commendable initiative as it has a significant impact on children residing in boarding schools,” she said.
She made these remarks during the prize presentation for the Outstanding Boarding School Competition at Dalat Welfare Complex here today.
Elaborating, she said Sarawak has the highest number of boarding schools, ensuring no one is left behind on schooling.
“If there were no boarding schools, many children might miss out on education due to transportation problems and the long distance from home to school.
“This is because the transportation system imposes a financial burden on parents, especially those living outside urban areas,” she explained.
Also, the safety of children is also assured because with boarding schools, they don’t have to commute, especially for those using water transportation, she added.
Fatimah, who is Dalat assemblywoman, said the competition instills values of cleanliness and joy among children residing in boarding schools.
A total of four primary schools and nine secondary schools participated in the competition.
In the secondary school category, the champion was Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Batang Igan, the runner-up was SMK Agama Igan, and third place went to SMK Dalat.
Meanwhile, the primary school category was won by Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kampung Klid/Plajau, the runner-up was SK Kampung Bungan, and third place went to SK St Luke, Nanga Baoh.
At the same time, Fatimah praised PPD Dalat for being receptive to free transportation assistance for school students under the Sarawak Foundation.
“It is one of the state government’s initiatives to improve the well-being and lighten the burden of the people, especially those with low incomes,” she said.
The free transportation assistance in rural areas is expected to benefit 10 schools in the Dalat constituency, involving 287 students.
For rural areas, the aid provided is water transportation, and it will be launched pending a decision from the Sarawak River Board, she added.
She also presented minor rural project funding to the Management Board of Yak Tee Chinese National Type School (SJKC), Rando Club Dalat District Office, Parents and Teachers Association (PIBG) of SK Sungai Ud, Dalat Education Committee, PIBG of SMK Dalat, PIBG of SMK Oya, PIBG of SK St. Kevin, PIBG of SK. Baoh Ulu, and the Dalat District Education Fund, involving a total allocation of RM139,100.
