BETONG: The Barisan Nasional (BN) government is committed to ensuring that educational opportunities are accessible to everyone.
Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who gave this assurance, said the government had undertaken various ways and means to ensure that no one was denied the opportunity to excel in any field of education.
Setting up MRSMs (Mara Junior Science College) in Betong and other divisions in Sarawak was one of the means towards that end, he said when officiating at the 5th Graduation and Award Ceremony of the MRSM here yesterday.
He explained that MRSMs were an effort to accommodate promising rural students who were mostly from low-income families.
Reminding the people that education was crucial to ensure the country’s progress and their prosperity, he pointed out that could be only achieved when the country was peaceful and stable.
As such, he said the BN government had tirelessly reminded the people on the need to maintain harmony and unity amid their diverse racial and religious backgrounds, stressing that it was incumbent upon MRSM as a transitional learning institution to inculcate sense of responsibility, love and loyalty for the country.
“Being a country made up of a population of diverse backgrounds, Malaysia has no choice but to ensure continuous progress, peace and stability through harmony and unity.
“I hope the students of MRSM Betong, especially those who had completed their five years of secondary education, would always bear in their minds that their families and country have high expectations of them,” he added.
Congratulating those who received various awards in recognition of their excellent academic achievements and contributions in co-curricular activities, Uggah said it was a reflection of their effort and commitment to education, which he hoped they would keep when entering institutions of higher learning.
According to MRSM Betong principal Zabidin Bedut, a total of 119 Form Five students graduated this year.
Of the figure, 39 obtained First Class achievement; 59 (Second Class Upper) and the rest (Second Class Lower), he disclosed, adding he was also pleased to note that the college was ranked 11th among the 46 MRSMs nationwide in the SPM trial examination.
Among the students honoured during the ceremony were Muhammad Zakwan Mohtadza (Exemplary Student and Leadership Award), Jasper Anji Augustine Unjah (Best Co-curriculum Award) and Muhammad Aidil Anuar ( Sahsiah).
Those present included Betong Resident Datu Romie Daniel Sigan, State Mara director Yusuf Waslie and Parents-Teachers Association chairman Wilson Entabang.