THE Sarawak government has extended its assistance to Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) private schools under the Mission School initiative, said Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Disclosing this during his ministerial winding-up speech in the August House yesterday, he said this development aimed to support the educational needs of SDA schools and ensure equitable access to funding opportunities.
“Mission School, also known as Sekolah Mubaligh, is a school with a rich history, dating back to pre-independence times. It was established through the efforts of Christian missionary organisations and comprises both government schools and government-aided schools.
“Funding allocated through the Unit For Other Religions (UNIFOR) programme is primarily directed to missionary schools registered with the Federation of Christian Mission Schools Malaysia, representing Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Methodist denominations in Sarawak.
“However, it was noted that SDA private schools, which are not registered with the Federation of Christian Mission Schools Malaysia, were unable to meet the criteria for eligibility in the application for Mission School funding through UNIFOR,” he said.
In response to this issue, he said, the Sarawak government assured that it would continue to provide financial assistance to mission schools and houses of worship in the state. Houses of worship are encouraged to submit their fund applications to UNIFOR for consideration.
Additionally in a different development, under the Special Development Assistance Fund (SDAF), three projects have already been approved as of May 17.
“These projects include the upgrading of the St. Herbert Church Hall in Song, the construction of a bell tower, retaining wall, and gabion wall.
“Furthermore, the Sarawak government is currently reviewing an application from Gereja St. Francis Xavier in Kanowit for the “Bina Baru Gereja St. Francis Xavier Kanowit, Sarawak” project, which has requested funding of RM9.77 million and the application is still under consideration by UNIFOR.”
Overall by extending assistance to SDA private schools under the Mission School programme, the Sarawak government aims to promote inclusivity and equal opportunities for all educational institutions in the state, ensuring that students in SDA schools can benefit from the support provided by the government.
