More funds for schools when coffers improves – CM

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Goh (third right) presenting a souvenir to Christina.

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government will be looking to increase the amount of funding given to independent Chinese and mission schools, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal.

“Once Sabah improves its coffers I assure the Chinese community and others, that we will increase the amount of grants given to independent Chinese as well as mission schools.

“The money we make from an improved economy will not be going into the pockets of politicians, but instead, it will be ploughed back into providing the best to our people in terms of education health and infrastructure,” he said.

Shafie asserted that the Parti Warisan Sabah-led government realises the importance of education and that is why it is willing to spend as much as there is available to provide the youth with the best possible education.

“If one is not academically inclined, there will be skills training schools to provide the required skilled labour to steer Sabah to great heights,” he said in his speech read by his deputy Datuk Christina Liew at the Federation of Chinese Associations of Sabah’s (FCAS) Ang Pow Festival and 25th Anniversary on Saturday.

Shafie also said that he is impressed by how the Chinese were able to sustain their independent schools.

“When it comes to education I marvel at how the Chinese are able to sustain independent schools. The government does give some funds but by and large a good portion is raised by the community itself,” he said.

Shafie reckoned that the Chinese are the mainstay of the economy and he had encouraged the latter to make further contributions by ploughing back the profits.

“It is my hope that all the Chinese communities in Sabah can work together and help to build our beloved state to be prosperous and progressive.

“There are many taukehs in FCAS who can help me develop Sabah. Do it not for me but for all the people in Sabah,” he added.

Among those present at the event were FCAS president Tan Sri Dr T.C. Goh, State Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk George Ginibun, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China Liang Caide, Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Junz Wong, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Frankie Poon and other state ministers.