What chances have they for an overseas education?
IN January, students who had done well in their examinations and were planning to pursue further studies overseas through scholarships from the Public Service Department (JPA) were shocked to discover that JPA was suspending funds for the purpose.
A sense of hopelessness reigned; uncertainties followed panic. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Wee Kah Siong, who had earlier allegedly confirmed the suspension of the JPA scholarships, quickly denied having said so. Nevertheless, he promised to bring the matter to the Cabinet for a solution. Obviously a big problem did exist then.
Wasn’t there an inkling of sorts that prepared parents of those students to make alternative arrangements with regards to places of study for their children? I refer to those parents who could afford the expenses. For the poor parents, however, there would be no way out; they had relied entirely on the scholarships from the JPA.
For them, this is the end of their dreams of seeing their children getting university degrees from overseas universities. They will have to be content with the local institutions of higher learning for their children if they can cough up some money for the purpose. If that fails, looking for jobs is the obvious answer for the students – swelling the number of frustrated and unhappy young men and women in the community.
Sensing the importance of this problem, the state government acted appropriately by promising to come to the rescue of the students from the state. The Chief Minister instructed Yayasan Sarawak to provide the necessary assistance.
While overseas, I was following the developments of this particular issue through the Internet and wanted to know the outcome of the rescue effort. I might have missed an announcement to this effect but have not seen or heard about anything at the time of writing.
I read, however, from the JPA’s portal, Pembangunan Modal Insan (eSila), about converting scholarships to loans with effect from this year. To me, this does not directly address the current problem of in-availability of funds for the students who have been earmarked to go overseas. Perhaps the authorities would be kind enough to enlighten the readers on this subject soon.
Generally, for the students going to universities overseas, time is not a luxury. In Australia, for instance, many thousands of university freshies have started their courses since the middle of last month. For Asian students, the problems of going through the stages of orientation at foreign universities can be overwhelming – the culture shock, the food, the climate, etc. Accommodation is another headache. Houses or rooms for rent are expensive and even if available are far away from the campus; problem of transport. Many universities do not run student hostels any more.
Ample time needed for all the preparations is crucial.
For Yayasan Sarawak to help the students out is the right thing to do and indeed a bounden duty. With loans, but why not scholarships or outright grants? We all know about loans – they require guarantors or collateral. We also know that many guarantors of loans in the past have had their fingers burnt. Some almost have gone bankrupt for non-payment of loans taken by someone else – a financial wreck for the kind guarantor. Who wants to be a guarantor?
That reminds me of why the Sarawak Foundation was created. In 1965, it was Thomas Kana, MP for Kanowit and Parti Pesaka Anak Sarawak’s secretary-general who suggested to the Chief Minister, Tawi Sli, that the state government should start collecting funds for the benefit of students from the state whose parents could not afford the education expenses, either for sending their children to local schools or universities overseas. At the time, it was to University of Malaya.
Hitherto students from Sarawak and Sabah had been sent over to Australia, Canada, and New Zealand under the auspices of the Colombo Plan. But by within 10 years of the creation of the Federation of Malaysia, scholarships under this scheme had ceased. Reason: since becoming part of Malaysia, Sarawak, and for that matter, Sabah, had become part of a developing country and as a developing country there was no need for foreign assistance any more in terms of scholarships.
That was it.
The other purpose of the Sarawak Foundation was to provide funds for eligible students in local schools to finish their studies in schools sited in the major towns such as St Thomas’ or St Joseph’s or for girls, St Mary’s and St Teresa’s. This was while government secondary schools were few – only in Miri, Sibu and Kuching. New secondary schools were being built in other towns.
Funds for the foundation would come from the Timber Cess and grants from the government. Education would be under the control of the state even though the federal government was responsible for education policy for the whole federation.
Again, why loans?
Why not outright grants to those students who deserve the scholarships. Loans are meant to be paid back fully or partially. There are so many former students who could or would not pay even though they have landed jobs.
Grants are better if the state can afford them. It can, if part of the money from Petronas can be diverted to the scholarship funds. Petronas itself can also provide scholarships for students from Sabah and Sarawak in addition to the scholarships from other organisations.
Yayasan Sarawak’s rescue plan is a stopgap measure.
The major responsibility to provide scholarships is still that of the federal government to which the state has contributed so much money from our oil and gas.
Another scholarship scheme
Just in case the federal agencies cannot provide the money any more, there should be another scholarship fund established in Sarawak to enable its students going for further studies in universities overseas. Yayasan Sarawak will continue giving help in the form of loans to students as will other bodies. They are doing an excellent job but are limited in scope and in sources of funds.
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