KUCHING: About 25,000 Sarawakian students in the state are expected to benefit from the free tertiary-level education policy that will be implemented in the state starting in 2026.
State Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said the students include those who are already in their second or third year at five state government-owned tertiary institutions.
The state-owned tertiary institutions are Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University of Technology Sarawak, the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), and I-CATS University College.
"Three labs have been done to deliberate on the strategies to implement this policy," he said in reply to a question from Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (PSB-Bawang Assan) at the State Assembly here today (November 22).
Dr Annuar said the free tertiary education policy announced by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg last August was a massive policy that means a lot for the future generation.
He said that the policy was also in parallel with the state government's plan to establish five international schools.
"The main objective of the policy is to give students from low-income or rural backgrounds a chance to benefit from free education. They will be able to enrol in universities, particularly state-owned tertiary institutions," he added. — Bernama