MIRI: The Sarawak government has never taken education issues lightly, especially when it comes to mission schools.
This is proven by the government giving financial allocations or land grants in support of their education activities, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin at SMK St Columba’s 90th anniversary at the civic centre here on Friday night.
Lee added that education has always become the state government’s priority.
“St Columba schools comprising SMK St Columba, SK St Columba and St Columba Kindergarten are part of Miri City rich history…St Columba School since its establishment in 1929 has been witnessing the development and progress of Miri, it was around during different eras of governments from Brooke’s rule to the Japanese occupation, to British colonial government and brief independence to the formation of Malaysia.
“Without this missionary school, we might not be what we are today. In fact, mission schools have produced many great state leaders,” he said.
Lee also said that the Sarawak government acknowledged the great contributions of mission schools which were established to provide proper education to people of all walks of life in Miri by producing many great and successful Sarawakians.
He added that the financial allocations proved the high commitment of the state government in helping to further develop mission schools with other government schools.
“That is why, we have our own education ministry in order to improve the standard of education in Sarawak… and of course in order to achieve the target we need to work with the federal government to ensure that we receive the necessary financial allocations,” he pointed out.
Lee also cited the numerous challenges being faced in the government’s efforts to improve the standard of education such the dire need to repair and rebuild rural schools.
During the function Lee also announced a grant of RM5,000 for the school.
Among those present were SMK St Columba principal Subah Nyareng, the school’s Parent-Teacher Association chairman Karambir Singh, the school’s management board chairman Hurbert Hurton Kelon and chief executive officer of Riam Road Secondary School (RRSS) Dato Dr Fong Onn Min.
Some 50 dance and singing performances were staged during the anniversary celebration involving the students.
A total 329 students of the schools took part in the celebration with the theme “Timeless Stage” concert X.
