Don’t let financial limit our child’s learning

MIRI: Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development I (Education and Innovation), Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, has encouraged parents to take full advantage of the state government’s upcoming free tertiary education initiative.

The initiative, set to be implemented in 2026, aims to provide free education at Sarawak-owned universities for eligible students, especially those from lower-income families.

“Students who enroll in Sarawak-owned institutions such as Swinburne University, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Curtin University Sarawak and ICATS will not have to pay tuition fees. However, this will depend on the course of study,” Dr Annuar said during a sharing session with members of the Parents and Teachers Associations (PTAs) and the Miri District School Board of Management at SMK Agama Miri today (Aug 25).

He added that the state government is focused on providing free education in fields that align with current job market demands, to ensure that graduates are well-prepared for employment.

Dr Annuar also encouraged parents to support their children’s mastery of multiple languages, including English, which he described as a “lingua franca” that offers access to a vast amount of knowledge.

“The more languages we master, the more advantages we have,” he said.

In addition to that, he discussed the state government’s efforts to establish Sarawak Foundation International Schools that aim to provide high-quality education to students from all economic backgrounds, including those from B40 (low-income) families, who will not have to pay fees to attend.

“There is no discrimination in our approach. Anyone can enter, but students will need to sit for special exams to gain admission,” he said, addressing concerns that the international schools might only cater to the wealthy.

“This opportunity is unique to Sarawak; no other state in Malaysia offers state-funded international schools.”

Dr Annuar noted that the first of these schools have already been completed in Kuching, with additional schools under construction in Sibu and Bintulu.

Miri is also expected to have its own Sarawak Foundation International School in the near future.