TEN Chinese independent secondary schools in Miri received a total of RM10mil from the Sarawak government.
SM Jalan Riam (962 students) and Pei Min Middle School (403 students) received the highest allocation of RM833,890 and RM724,549 respectively.
State Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who presented the allocation to the schools, said the annual allocation was started by former chief minister the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem in 2014 with RM3mil.
“This initiative was continued by Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. Since 2014, more than RM92mil have been allocated.
Dr Sim, in a Facebook post wrote: “Apart from annual funding, since 2014, the Sarawak government has recognised the Unified Examination Certificate and accepts the qualification for admission into Sarawak civil service as well as Sarawak government-owned universities (Swinburne Sarawak campus, iCAT University College, UTS (University of Technology Sarawak) and Curtin Sarawak campus) for free tertiary education in 2026.”
Dr Sim said the state government was providing yearly financial aid as it considered Chinese-school education important.
“Chinese education in Sarawak is for all races and both Adenan and Premier Abang Johari have emphasised the importance of recognising talents, advantages for anak Sarawak to understand Chinese when China is one of two global superpowers,” he said.
He identified Pei Min Middle School and SM Jalan Riam for playing their roles in Sarawak’s nation-building.
