Rural students need to take advantage of Sarawak's expanding higher education opportunities

SIBU, Sept 18: Rural students should take advantage of the growing higher education opportunities in Sarawak and not consider themselves inferior to urban students, said Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.

He said that rural students now have the same opportunity to achieve good academic results, thus taking their studies to higher levels.

He believes that exposure to new environments and experiences is also important in helping rural students understand that there are many educational and career opportunities to explore.

"The world is big and there are plenty of opportunities. More importantly, I want these rural students to be able to compete with the urban students. I can assure you, it's not because you're from the suburbs that you can't perform well", he said.

He said this while addressing the closing ceremony of SPM 2026 Ulu Balingian National High School (SMK) Excellence Workshop here today.

He added that self-confidence is essential because a person who always considers himself inferior to others will find it difficult to develop.

"Never feel this low compared to other students in the city. If you always think that you're low, you won't rise", he added.

Sharing his personal experience, Dr Annuar said he had faced challenges while continuing his medical studies, including the view that Bumiputera students may find it difficult to reach a certain level in the field.

However, he said, he chose to continue studying and tried to prove that background was not an obstacle to achieving success.

He said that the experience taught him not to accept the idea that something is impossible because of one's background.

Meanwhile, Dr Annuar said students now have more options to continue their studies after SPM, including through matriculation programs, foundations and higher education institutions in Sarawak.

He said that among the options to be considered is Sarawak University of Technology (UTS), besides other higher education institutions offering various post-SPM study pathways.

He said the implementation of Sarawak Free Higher Education Scheme (FTES) offering 64 courses also opened more opportunities for Sarawak children to further their education.

"With the help of the government today, no one should say they can't continue their studies because of financial problems", he said.

In this regard, he called on about 160 students attending the workshop to continue their efforts to face SPM and not consider 17 years as the end point in education.

"Students still have 65 days before the SPM exam and that period should be fully utilized to improve academic achievement. You can still change your grades from C to A with ongoing training and teacher guidance. I'm very sure that you can do it", he said.