KUCHING: Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) applauded the cooperation between federal and state governments in their efforts to ensure the betterment of education for Sarawakians.
Its president Macky Joseph hoped that with such move teachers could teach and children could learn in a safe and more conducive environment, making teaching and learning a fun process.
He was commenting on a proposal to form a special committee to work out a plan to use the RM1 billion loan repayment for critical and dilapidated schools in Sarawak.
On Thursday, the Cabinet approved and agreed that the Sarawak government’s RM1 billion debt to the federal government would be used to repair the schools in the state.
“In view that education is under the purview and responsibility of the federal government, STU is happy to note the proposed formation of a special committee comprising the Education Ministry, the Finance Ministry and the Sarawak government to ensure implementation of clean and transparent governance processes,” he told the New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik in a statement on the same day said that this decision was due to the agreement between him and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during his recent visit to Kuching.
Macky also urged the Education Ministry to continue meeting the needs of schools in both urban and rural areas especially pertaining to the infrastructural needs and Internet accessibility.
