KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is planning to expand the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered classroom concept statewide, provided criterias of trained teachers, sufficient equipment and component management can be fulfilled.
State Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib said this follows the pilot project at SMK Sanzac in Kota Kinabalu, in line with the ever-growing digital era.
He said education and technology must develop together and inclusively, to compete and grow at par with global standards.
Other than that, he takes note of suggestions by Likas assemblyman Tham Yun Fook for the introduction of a special examination for Primary Six pupils and to attract more international universities and investments of local universities in Sabah for education development among other things.
James said as a ministry, it is actually powerless because the decisions and implementation is from the Federal Government.
“But it is up to us leaders in Sabah to ask for allocations and what we need for the state. If we keep quiet, then we won’t get anything,” he said, stressing the need for state and federal agencies to work together to achieve a desired result.
He said this in his winding-up speech for the Budget 2026 at the state legislative assembly here, Tuesday (Dec 16).
Among other issues James spoke on was the acknowledgement of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) for application of assistance or scholarships in Sabah, application to Sabah-owned educational institutions and consideration for employment into state agencies, with terms including achieving a Credit in Bahasa Malaysia.
When questioned by Tanjung Aru assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong about a RM5mil special scholarship fund for UEC students, he said this was something that only the Chief Minister can announce.
He assured the floor that initiatives were in place to upgrade telecommunication services and connectivity across the state, upgrading of dilapidated schools, ensuring all Malaysian students have textbooks to study with and planning the expansion of access of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in all districts.
He welcomed suggestions from Tham, and said he was willing to work with the latter because he came from an educational background, where prior to this, was a senior officer in the state Education Department.
