Sarawak bumps up aid for mission schools

KUCHING: Mission schools in Sarawak will continue to receive financial assistance from the state government for their operations and upkeep, with the amount set to go up by RM5mil this year.

State Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil said the total allocation through the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) would be increased from RM15mil last year to RM20mil this year.“This is the state government’s effort to assist Sarawak mission schools.

“The funds will help the schools run their activities, purchase any items needed, upgrade or repair their buildings and facilities,” he said.Penguang was speaking at the presentation of cheques totalling RM3.8mil to 32 mission schools under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.

The funds are part of the RM15mil allocated to 127 mission schools statewide for last year.

Penguang, who is also adviser to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching’s Mission Authority, said mission schools were among the first schools to be built in Sarawak’s rural areas. He said it was timely for Unifor to provide grants to assist the mission schools, especially those in rural areas. The grants for mission schools were first allocated through Unifor in 2021.

“Sarawak is the only state with a Unit for Other Religions. This shows that the state government is people-centric and delivers what we promise to the local communities,” Penguang said.