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CM pledges state’s support for mission schools

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Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research, Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong (third left), Organising Chairlady of St Mary’s Schools’ 170th Anniversary Dinner, Datin Evely Ritikos Jaul (second left) and others cutting a cake at Waterfront Hotel in Kuching last Saturday.
Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research, Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong (third left), Organising
Chairlady of St Mary’s Schools’ 170th Anniversary Dinner, Datin Evely Ritikos Jaul (second left) and others cutting a cake at Waterfront Hotel in Kuching last Saturday.

KUCHING: Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg has assured that the state government will continue to support the development and progress of mission schools which now cater for students of various racial, cultural and religious backgrounds.

He gave the assurance in his text of speech read by Minister of Educat ion, S c i enc e and Technological Research, Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong at The St. Mary’s Schools’ 170th Anniversary Dinner held at Waterfront Hotel here last Saturday. “Being myself the product of a mission school, I am proud of my association with mission schools although I am not a Christian,” added Abang Johari.

“As one writer pointed out, the mission schools are renowned for their proud tradition, academic excellence and all – round commitment to producing fine products of outstanding character, discipline and citizenship.

“I couldn’t agree more with this view. In fact, Sarawak’s success story and what it is today is in no small measure contributed by the products of mission schools, “They are the “who and who” of the top political leadership, suc c e s s ful bus ine s s e s and enterprises, captains of industries, and the civil service, “Among the notable ones are the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (St. Joseph), myself (St. Joseph), Tan Sri Dato Sri Empiang Jabu (St. Mary’s), the late Dato Tra Zender, Datuk Hajah Hafsah Harun, Dato Tom Abang Saufi and the list goes on and on … including those present at this dinner, “They are the “movers and shakers” of Sarawak’s economic progress and development of the past, present and in the future, “I am sure and certainly hope that mission schools will continue to leave their legacies and footprints in Sarawak’s educational journey and character building of our young generation,” he said.

Abang Johari added that St. Mary’s Schools had always been regarded as premier schools and the pride of Sarawak.

“I understand that St. Mary’s Primary School is the recipient of Anugerah Harapan Negara 2005, Anugerah Khas Ketua Menteri 2010, the Cluster School of Excellence Award 2014, 2015 and 2016, “Today, it carries the status of High Performing School – the third primary school in Sarawak to achieve this. Congratulations! May the school continue to strive hard to sustain this high position of excellence in the country, “St. Mary’s Secondary School is not left behind as an achiever.

It excels in academic and coacademic activities thus making it to be the recipient of Anugerah Khas Ketua Menteri 2017! “It’s not in vain that we celebrate the 170th Anniversary of the schools for these achievements and accolades, “The r e a r e many among us here tonight, outstanding Marians who have made indelible footprints in Sarawak’s history and achievement,” added the Chief Minister. On the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), which has established at the Chief Minister’s Office, Abang Johari said: “ It is the commitment of the state government to ensure that religious houses of worship of various faiths are taken care of by the provision of funds to build, repair, upgrade and undertake maintenance.

“As Sarawak treads into the future, it needs to maintain its religious and racial harmony. “Harmony and unity is the foundation of stability and socioeconomic strength for Sarawak. Sarawak has been the envy of many states in Malaysia for its strong record in promoting racial and religious harmony, “Schools have a big role to play in this. Character-moulding also starts in school. Schools mould students, l ikes and disl ikes, their habits, behaviour, their perspective, their respect for each other, their tolerance and acceptance of cultural differences and so on, “Every faith deserves to have decent and safe places of worship.

That’s the stand of the government now; and the state will continue to provide annual grant for such purpose, “Last year UNIFOR was given RM15 million and this year, RM20 million to assist other faiths besides Islam in Sarawak. This is only happening in Sarawak as other states do not have such commitment,” he said.

“It’s my pleasure to have been invited to this special occasion on the 170th Anniversary of St. Mary’s Schools, “My congratulations to the Board of Manag ement and Organising Committee for reliving this tradition in commemorating this very special occasion, “I extend my appreciation to the Right Reverend Bishop Danald Jute, the Anglican Bishop for the Diocese of Kuching for his leadership of the Diocese and the Anglican mission schools,” he added. At the dinner, there were singing, dance, choral speaking and live band performances as well as a cake cutting ceremony.

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