RANAU: Sabah benefited much under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who is sensitive to the needs of the people including the state’s educational requirements.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman said one of the major contributions from the Federal government this year is the RM1 billion allocation under the 2018 Budget to repair and upgrade dilapidated schools.
This was one of the biggest for the state apart from other allocations that are meant to benefit the people, said Musa.
“There has never been any Prime Minister or Finance Minister who approved this much for education development in Sabah and Sarawak. Under Najib, he understands the situation.We gained a lot under Najib's era. So it is only right we continue to support his leadership,” he said in his address during the state level teachers’ day celebration here today.
Also present were Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun who is also State Education exco, Education Director General Datuk Dr Amin Senin and State Education diretor Datuk Maimunah Suhaibul.
“Big allocations for education development have allowed Sabah to enhance the quality of education in the state.
“Before this I had asked the education director how much was needed to resolve the issue on dilapidated schools and she told me RM800 million. That is not a small amount. I told this to the Prime Minister and he gave RM1 billion.
“This is a Prime Minister who has a big heart for the people as he was willing to give this big allocation for Sabah. He listens to the needs of the people in Sabah and Sarawak,” Musa said.
Musa said the state government will give its full support and assistance to plans drawn by the Education Ministry to improve the level of professionalism among teachers in the state.
He said apart from setting aside a big allocation in the state budget for human resource development, the government had also implemented many initiatives to improve the teaching profession.
Earlier Maimunah revealed 120 dilapidated schools are now being upgraded or replaced with the Industrial Building System (IBS) through the first phase of the RM1 billion chanelled by the Federal government.
“Last year 32 schools were involved in the move to replace old dilapidated buildings and the number has increased this year because the government was concerned on the school infrastructure,” she said.
In the ceremony Musa had also presented the state level Tokoh Guru award to former Tambunan education officer Kaipin Rosmin and Sinaran Institute chief executive officer Marie Yong Pik Hua.