KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has invested over RM848mil in educational assistance in the last four years, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said this showed the administration's commitment to human capital development under the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative.
"We believe that every Sabahan child deserves access to quality and equal education,” he said at the 29th Education Convention and 3rd Delegates' General Assembly of the Malaysian Headmasters Association here on Wednesday (July 16).
In his speech, delivered by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, he said that 14 new education initiatives were introduced from 2021 to last year, involving an allocation of RM164.14mil and benefitting over 210,000 students in Sabah.
Among the initiatives are the cash assistance scheme for higher learning institute enrolment (Budi), the Graduan Rindu Sabah (GRS-Subfly) programme, and Sentosa, a contribution scheme for students pursuing higher education locally.
“These programmes reflect the state government’s commitment to building an inclusive, progressive, and sustainable education system,” he said.
The Chief Minister also stressed the vital role of headmasters in adapting to 21st-century education challenges, especially in the era of digital transformation.
He called on school administrators to lead with innovation and resilience, stating that an institution's performance often hinges on the strength of its leadership.
“The quality of a school depends greatly on the headmaster’s leadership, both in administration and in guiding educators. They are the pillars of our education system,” he said.
Hajiji noted that the convention serves as an important platform to exchange ideas, strategies and experiences to drive excellence at school level.
“I believe that through collaboration and continuous learning, we can strengthen school leadership and empower our young generation to be excellent, distinguished and outstanding,” he added.
He also acknowledged the role of the association in championing professionalism among primary school leaders across the nation.
“Let us work together to uphold the teaching profession, strengthen the role of headmasters, and continue our efforts to empower the nation’s youth,” he said.
