The MP launching the programme for the parents at the school.
KAPIT: Rural parents need not migrate to the urban areas to enable their children attend school.
This is because the government now provides every child with the opportunity to attain education at their doorstep.
“The Ministry of Education does not only build schools in towns but also in the most remote of rural areas. Pre-schools, primary schools and secondary schools are built at our doorstep and are staffed by qualified and well-trained teachers.
“They’re of the same qualification, skills and knowledge as those in urban areas. I see no reason at all why parents have to migrate to towns, thinking that the schools there are better,” said Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
In fact, he pointed out that migrating to towns might even cause social problems due to cultural shock.
“Besides that, you have to rent a house or a room which may not be conducive to living and learning. Children might also end up with bad company.
“At the end of the day, you may ruin your children’s future,” he cautioned.
The parliamentarian also said rural schools had boarding facilities for students living far away, where they would be provided with food and supervision.
He advised parents to make education of their children their priority.
“If you love your children, then your priority is their education.”
To the teachers, Ugak urged them to be dedicated to their task of educating students, adding that they could perform as well as students in urban areas if their potentials were to be developed.
Ugak was speaking in officiating at the ‘Program Sarana Ibu Bapa Dan Malam Mesra Zon Subal’ in SK Nanga Stapang, Nanga Ga’at, Baleh here recently.
In highlighting his concern for the education of rural children, he announced a grant of RM265,000 for SK Nanga Stapang. The previous day, he announced a grant of RM300,000 for SMK Baleh.
He also announced a grant of RM5,000 each for SK Lepong Ga’at, SK Nanga Kain, Sk Nanga Sempili, SK Nanga Entoluh and SK Temenggong Koh, Nanga Antawau along Baleh River.
Also speaking at the function were SK Nanga Stapang headmaster Nyalin Sabang, Kapit Education officer Mathew Elo and the school’s parents-teachers association chairman Jabut Api.