S’wak FTES will help develop competent, future-ready workforce, says education bureau chief

KUCHING (Dec 24): The Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) will help develop a competent and future-ready workforce, said Satok Education Bureau chairman Abdul Samat Gany.

The political secretary to the Premier said it also clearly reflected the state government’s commitment in delivering its promises to the people.

“The announcement of FTES, much like the implementation and delivery of many other mega projects or initiatives in the state, was not made on a seasonal basis or timed around elections.

“Instead, it had been consistently pursued throughout the entire period of state administration — dispelling critics’ view that it was merely a carrot-dangling offer to appease voters,” he said in a statement.

Abdul Samat said this showed that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was on the right trajectory, with a long-term plan to build its own talent pipeline.

“FTES forms part of a strategic plan to develop a sustainable supply of skilled professionals, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related fields, and support the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“In addition, with FTES, quality education is no longer limited by family income but available to all those eligible, with the aim to reduce economic inequality over time,” he said.

He said that while FTES was designed to relieve students of tuition fees throughout their studies, it was not ‘cost-free’ in the literal sense, as the government continued to undertake significant financial responsibilities and channelling substantial annual allocations from state coffers to participating state-owned institutions of higher learning.

“The universities involved stand to benefit significantly in the long term, as FTES complements their ongoing efforts to strengthen their academic credentials and enhance their appeal to both local and international students,” he said, adding this reinforced Sarawak’s position as a regional education powerhouse in the years ahead.