KUCHING: Mission schools in Sarawak will continue to receive funding from the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to improve their students' performance, says Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah.
He said the state government had allocated RM30mil for mission schools through Unifor this year, along with RM90mil for non-Muslim houses of worship.
"Previously the funds were mostly used to assist with infrastructure upgrades, like chairs, desks and dining halls.
"Now we move beyond that into software, soft skills and motivation classes," he said when presenting Unifor cheques to non-Muslim houses of worship here on Tuesday (Aug 18).
Uggah said Unifor was focusing on improving the students' performance, particularly in Science and Mathematics, so that they can meet the entry requirements of state-owned local universities.
This, in turn, would enable them to benefit from Sarawak's free tertiary education scheme, he said.
"We are concerned that not many students from mission schools in rural areas will benefit from this programme, because they have to get the required qualifications to be admitted to these universities.
"And we here in Unifor are thinking that the time has come for us to play a role in assisting the schools with the RM30mil allocation, so that the students will not lose the opportunity given by the state government," he said.
Uggah also said the annual Unifor allocations reflected the Sarawak government's policy of inclusivity, ensuring no one was left behind.
He reminded the recipients to implement their projects with integrity, transparency and accountability and to preserve Sarawak's unity and harmony.
"We are the model state in Malaysia. Keep it that way," he added.
During the ceremony, Uggah handed over cheques totalling RM34.87mil benefiting 148 projects in the first phase of disbursement this year.
The balance of RM55.12mil will be disbursed by October.
