KUCHING: The Federation of Boards of Management for Aided Chinese Primary Schools of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions deputy president Rodger Chan yesterday thanked the Chief Minister for his genuine concerns and strong support towards Chinese education.
“Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is a man of his words.
“The RM3 million he contributed on Friday will indeed help us a lot in the relocation of SJK Chung Hua Bako in Samarahan.
“The 1:1 grant match stated by the chief minister was indeed a strong motivation for us to raise sufficient funds,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Chan revealed that work on the new school would commence in the second half of this year and be completed within a year.
“We plan for the classes to commence in 2021,” he said.
He said the federation was also grateful to the chief minister for alienating the land of SJK Chung Hua No 3 to the school board.
“Chinese schools in Sarawak nowadays are no longer exclusive to Chinese. Indeed, there are now quite a number of Chinese schools with more non Chinese students.
“They are now more of all-community schools, the inclusive type of schools,” he pointed out.
Chan added education excellence was the key to leadership in the country.
“All champions of this world were once kids before. Kids are the future of the country, education is the future for kids, and hence education is our future.
“I fully support and look forward to full education autonomy for Sarawak so that we can drive our own destiny for the good of a greater Sarawak,” he said.
On Friday, Abang Johari announced an allocation of RM3 million to add up for the remaining of the school’s amount, and also top up another RM1 million of the annual grant to Chinese schools, which makes it RM 8 million this year.
