KUCHING: The Sarawak Initiatives (TSI) hopes that Yayasan Sarawak International School will not introduce any religious studies for its students.
Leave religious studies as extra-curricular activity and let parents take care of this with their children.
The Sarawak Initiatives (TSI) made a call on the state Deputy minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Annuar Rapaee, recently and had a good discussion about Sarawak education policy.
TSI was also very encouraged by the state government to set up a full-fledged Sarawak Ministry of Education headed by a minister and two deputy ministers.
“Let schools be the centre for learning from a global perspective,” TSI said in a statement after a visit to Annuar.
“The education syllabus at Yayasan Sarawak international school puts more emphasis on learning from a global perspective so students may view and learn and keep up with world development advancing at great speed, said non-governmental organisation The Sarawak Initiatives (TSI).
The organisation committed to human capital development in the state expressed hope that Sarawak’s first Yayasan Sarawak international school would put less focus on religious education, where it could be absorbed as extra curriculum, as opposed to being an essential subject.
TSI lauded introduction of the The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) syllabus at the school, which it believes is the right track to building better exposure for students in the international arena.
The organisation expressed content with the Sarawak government’s planning to open more international schools across the state. This would be a good progress towards enhancing the education system in Sarawak.
TSI also encouraged parents, especially those from the rural setting, to take up the opportunity to sending their children to Yayasan Sarawak international school amid its usage of English as the medium of instruction.
Living in the interior must not be seen as a hindrance, where parents should take advantage of the boarding facilities provided at the school, as boarding life would give students early exposure to independence, as well as providing the opportunity to interact with those from all races, deemed a key element in building national unity.
TSI also hoped that the Sarawak government would set up a training centre for teachers and work with other countries that has an excellent track record on education, particularly Singapore and Finland.
“Sarawak is a young nation and the government’s commitment to ensure a well plan education system and economic sustainability is highly commended.
“The Sarawak Premier’s (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) dynamic planning to take care of our economy and education, and ensuring adequate funding, while at the same time promoting Sarawak to the world is highly commended.
“His courageous move to break away from the traditional methods of doing things and adopting a modern and futuristic approach to take care of Sarawak is remarkable,” he added.
The first Yayasan Sarawak International School, located at Petra Jaya, Kuching, officially opened its doors last month and had attracted 111 students for its pioneer intake.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister, Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Tuesday (May 24), said 60 per cent of the students were from the B40 low-income group, while the M40 and T20 made up 30 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
Sarawak government offers full scholarship to students from the B40 group, but they would have to sit for an entrance assessment test to qualify for placement at the school. Students from the M40 and T20 groups however, would pay a minimal monthly fee.
The state is looking to set up more Yayasan Sarawak international schools, particularly in Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
