Sarawak expands free transport programme for rural students with water transport initiative

KUCHING (Sept 28): The Sarawak government is expanding its free transport programme for school students by introducing a water transport initiative for the coastal and rural areas.

Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said this initiative is aimed at addressing transportation challenges faced by underprivileged students in the rural areas.

He said the programme was first launched by the Sarawak government through Yayasan Sarawak in 2020, offering free school bus services with the participation of bus operators in Kuching, Miri, and Sibu.

“Given the positive outcomes of the programme, such as improved attendance rates and better academic performance at the schools involved, we are expanding the initiative.

“We are introducing a water transport programme to overcome the unique geographical challenges in Sarawak, as there are still rural school students, especially those living along rivers, who heavily rely on this mode of transport,” he said.

Lee’s text of speech was read by Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Marine) Dato Henry Harry Jinep during the Certificate of Competency (CoC) presentation ceremony for passenger boat operators involved in the ‘Free Water Transportation Programme for School Students’ at the Yayasan Sarawak Auditorium here today.

The programme, he added, not only reduces the transportation cost burden for parents, but demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child, regardless of where they live, is denied access to quality education due to transportation constraints.

He expressed hope that the programme will continue to thrive, ensuring that every student in Sarawak can travel safely to school and secure a brighter future.

Earlier, Yayasan Sarawak director Mersal Abang Rosli revealed that more than 20 boat operators that transport students across rivers to schools in coastal areas around Kuching have been identified for the programme.

He said that among these areas are Kampung Muhibbah, Kampung Semilang Beradek, Kampung Sibu Laut, and Kampung Salak.

“We have collaborated with the Sarawak Marine Department to organise a Competency Certification Course for the involved operators to ensure they obtain the licenses to operate passenger boats legally.

“All operators have undergone medical check-ups before being nominated for the course, and thankfully, all of them passed the health screenings and successfully completed the course,” Mersal said in a text speech read by Yayasan Sarawak Deputy Director of Education Division, Watson Chunggat Leonard Doo.

For the record, students who take boats to school will be given a smart card containing a QR code, similar to the method used in the Free School Bus Programme.

The QR code will be scanned by boat operators each time students use the service.