Set up educational fund, JKKKs told

0

FOR THE ALBUM: Harden (fourth right) poses with community leaders and officials after the dialogue.

SRI AMAN: Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) of longhouses in the state should set up special educational fund for their children.

This suggestion came from Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, who said the move would facilitate parents whose children wanted to pursue tertiary education.

“With the fund being put in place, not only can children continue studies at higher learning institutions but they will also bring honour to the longhouse when they become successful.

“Besides, children who have benefitted from the fund will return to bring about more development to the longhouses,” he said at a dialogue session on rural electrification scheme (RES) for eight longhouses in Ulu Undop near here yesterday.

Harden, who is also Simanggang assemblyman, felt that JKKK members should focus on reaching out to as many children as possible rather than their own.

“You never know whether the fund would benefit your grandchildren or generations to come. Therefore, we have to look at the long-term development rather than now.”

He added that parents, particularly those in rural areas, ought to pay due attention to children’s education.

As the country moves forward to achieve a developed status by 2020, he said young Malaysians must be equipped with the essential knowledge and skills to address future challenges.

He warned that without education, they would fall out of the mainstream progress and be left behind.

“Can you imagine what kind of life our children would have come 2020 if we did not send them to school? They would not be enjoying the fruits of advancement.”