KUCHING (Nov 11): Sarawakian students studying in higher learning institutions across the country will receive pocket money of RM1,200 next year.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this special financial assistance will benefit 25,000 Sarawakian students from families of lower income groups with household per capita income of RM1,500 or below per month.
“The money given is to be spent on food and essential goods to help them mitigate the cost of living.
“Under this Budget, a sum of RM30 million will be allocated for this purpose,” he said when tabling the State Budget 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today.
Abang Johari said the RM500 book vouchers and free laptop for Sarawakian students initiatives, which were launched in August this year, will also be continued in 2025.
“A sum of RM2 million will be allocated for the book vouchers where RM500 is allocated per person for public and private higher-learning institutions Sarawakian students for households with per capita income of RM1,500 per month and below.
“The free laptop assistance to Sarawakian students who have successfully enrolled into public and private higher-learning institutions for households with per capita income of RM1,500 per month and below will empower our students with the essential technology they need to excel in their academic pursuits with an allocation of RM30.5 million next year, which will benefit 10,166 students,” he said.
He also said that the Sarawak government will continue to provide annual operating grants to state-owned universities and colleges where for 2025, a sum of RM35 million will be allocated to University Technology Sarawak, RM30 million to Sarawak Skills Development Centre, RM30 million to i-CATS University College, and RM5.5 million to Kolej Laila Taib.
Other allocations under the State Budget 2025 to enhance Sarawak’s education system and facilities included an allocation of RM20 million for the Sarawak Education Enhancement Programme (SEEP), a joint free tuition initiative for Form 4 and 5 students in core subjects Science, Mathematics, English and History as well as pure science subjects, with an expansion in the programme’s coverage; RM4.6 million for the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (Dual Language Programme); and RM27 million to cover the operation cost of three state-owned international schools in Petra Jaya, Mile 12 Kuching-Serian Road, and Sibu, the latter of which is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
Under the early childhood sector, Abang Johari said RM20 million will be allocated to state-owned early childhood provider SeDidik, and a sum of RM14 million for the annual special grant to all registered early childhood and care institutions in 2025.
“To ease the burden of parents, an allocation of RM2.5 million will also be allocated next year for Tadika and Taska fee subsidies.
“This will benefit 2,500 children whose parents’ monthly income is RM7,000 and below. By providing this assistance, we aim to increase Sarawak children’s access to early childhood education,” he said.
