KUCHING: The large allocation amounting to RM55.2 billion to the Ministry of Education (MoE) clearly shows the government’s concern for national education, said Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) president Kullin Djayang.
Of the amount, RM920 million will go towards repairing 380 dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak.
Kullin said if the allocation is used well and prudently, the impact can be seen.
“All allocations for poor schools in Sarawak should be monitored by the government to avoid leakage.
“STU believes that the new government will be more transparent in the distribution of allocations to every school that needs it,” he said in a statement today.
Referring to STU’s statement prior to the tabling of the revised Budget 2023 with regard to the welfare of the teachers, Kullin said the educators are grateful to the government for allocating 50,000 laptops to educational institutions under the ministry.
“However, STU hopes that it will be distributed transparently so that the ministry’s goal of digitalisation of education will be achieved,” he said.
The union also urged the government to address the issue of internet connectivity in Sarawak, as the internet data subscription assistance is deemed as a necessity for teachers to carry out their duties as educators and achieve digitalisation of education.
STU also lauded the efforts made by Minister Fadhlina Sidek to reduce the workload of teachers.
In addition to that, the supply of 1,500 new teachers as well as maintaining the 90:10 ratio, which is to prioritise Sarawakians should be realised, said Kullin.
