Education, key skills at the household income level

SIBU, 18 Sept: Education and skills are among the key in efforts to increase household incomes of Sarawak people, said Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.

He said higher education and appropriate skills could open up employment opportunities and help people to earn better incomes, thus contributing to an increase in household income.

He said that the approach is in line with the post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 target to increase Sarawak's median monthly household income to RM15,000 by 2030.

"The Government of Sarawak provides free education because we are investing for the children of Sarawak so that they get higher education and subsequently have higher incomes.

"It is the government's desire to provide this free education, so that Sarawak children get higher education and then have higher incomes. It's a government investment", he said.

He said this while addressing the Presentation Session of ICU JPM Sarawak Sibu Revenue Increase (Equipment) MADANI Welfare Program for Recipients from Sibu Vocational College at Sibu Islamic Wellness Trust Board (LAKIS), here today.

Clearly, an income-enhancing approach also needs to focus on those already skilled so that the aid channelled can be translated into income-generating activities.

According to him, this is important because the recipients of the program are students and alumni of KV Sibu who have gained training and skills in a specific field.

"The programme is very focused on the first reason, it helps those who have already gained skills or skill training.

"They do have skills in the fields they learn at vocational colleges and afterwards they are helped to ensure that these skills translate into income impact", he added.

He believes that such an approach has the potential to have a greater impact than granting aid in general because recipients already have a skill base to exploit.

In the meantime, Dr Annuar reminded recipients not to see the aid as something that needs to be received continuously, instead making it a starting point for building their own source of income.

"This help might be a start-up for you, but we understand that we may not have enough funds to start a business. Make sure this help is a start. After that, other endeavors should be in the recipient's own hands. The research of assistance should not continue", he stressed.

He also linked education and skills development efforts with the need to generate a workforce capable of meeting economic opportunities as well as earning higher incomes.

He said that the Government of Sarawak has previously also set education and human capital development as an important component of PCDS 2030, including efforts to create a skilled workforce.

Meanwhile, the programme saw 36 poor-status AIRs registered in eKasih system receive one-off equipment assistance totalling RM180,000.

The recipients consist of students and alumni of Sibu KV in fields such as electrical equipment, sewing, baking and pastry, cosmetology and electronics.

The RM180,000 allocation is part of the RM1.375 million Revenue Improvement Focus allocation implemented across Sarawak.