MIRI: The state cabinet will likely appoint a minister for education in the state during its next meeting.
This was hinted by Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg when speaking at the presentation of RM6 million education grant from the state government to Sarawak Chinese Independent Secondary Schools at Pei Min Middle School stadium here yesterday.
He emphasised on education as the cornerstone of Sarawak stepping up into the digital economy and high income.
“My policy is targeted at the generations of tomorrow – the young with the knowledge and creativity, and that is why there is a need for a minister to look after education in the state – that is a hint,” he said.
He said the state cabinet recognised the importance of Chinese schools and that is the reason for the allocation of annual financial grants and recognition of UEC qualification by the State Government started by his predecessor Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem.
The chief minister said Chinese schools with its strength in mathematics is the building block of digital technology.
This strength should be harnessed by the state in its pursuit of progressing digital economy without disregarding the national education blueprint, a pragmatic policy spearheaded by him which is attracting many Sarawakians working abroad to return.
“The importance of mandarin as an international language is also recognised by the state government,” he added.
Continuing with the policies of the late ‘Tok Nan’ on aiding Chinese schools in the state with total allocations of RM 12 million in 2014-2016, Abang Johari urged the Chinese community to be united behind the state government.
The chief minister also announced an allocation of RM100,000 for SM Pei Min on top of the RM6 million allocation to the Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Management board executive committee which would distribute it to the 14 Chinese secondary schools in the state.