Much-needed assista nce: Dr Zambry (front row, third from left) with school principals and representatives after presenting the allocation at SMJK Sam Tet on Monday. Also present are state executive councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon (second from left), state secretary Datuk Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan (left) and state Education Department director Muhamat Roli Hassan (third from right).
THE state government is set to develop a new education hub in Seri Iskandar, covering an area of more than 404.6ha.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said a blueprint for the development was already ready and he had also seen the proposed design visuals.
“We are focusing on tertiary education, which includes government, semi-government or private universities and colleges.
“The hub will be developed within 10 to 15 years depending on the demands and availability of the institutions,” he said on Monday after presenting an allocation of RM1.47mil to subsidise the utility bills of 232 schools in the state for the first half of the year.
Dr Zambry added that the state government would continue to improve the education system in Perak through the state education blueprint.
“We are among the first few states to introduce new approaches to improve the education quality and produce successful students.
“This can be seen through the special allocations for national-type, missionary, Chinese and Tamil schools in the state.
“Usually, the Federal Government provides the allocation for education. But for Perak, we take the initiative to improve the learning environment and ‘software’.”
Dr Zambry said the state government had spent more than RM176mil in the past four years in scholarships, education loans and utility bill subsidies.
“It is my hope that the rakyat will realise what the state government has done in terms of education,” he added.
Meanwhile, SMJK San Min board of governor chairman Chan Hong Kee said the school in Teluk Intan was overjoyed to receive RM33,558.31 from the state government.
“This is the third year we are receiving the allocation and with a RM4,000 monthly utility bill, every little bit helps.
“Previously without the allocation, we had to raise funds from the public to cater for the 1,600 students at the 84-year-old school,” he said.
Chan added that with the subsidised utility bills, the school could now focus on raising funds for upgrading purposes, such as replacing broken furniture.
For the usual person, RM312 would seem like a small amount but for SJK(T) Ladang Bikam principal J. Annamary, it would mean proper electricity supply for her 27 students.
“Our school is attended by poor students from around the Sungkai estate, which has also been kind in providing free water supply to the school.
“A few hundred ringgit may seem like a small amount but it helps ease the school’s financial burden,” she said.
In Ipoh, SJK(C) Ave Maria Convent principal Tan Lee Ei was also very appreciative of the RM17,404.80 allocation the school received.
“It compliments the allocation we receive from the Education Ministry to pay for the RM4,000 monthly utility bills.
“Previously, we had to raise funds through the parent-teacher association and board of governors but now, we can channel these funds for school development or repairs.
Although SMJK Sam Tet has a whopping RM16,000 monthly utility bill and the allocation it received was only RM13,000, principal Lau Swee Mun said the amount would ease the school’s financial burden.
“We will raise funds to pay the remaining sum. But with this allocation, we have saved money that can be directed to the students’ activities and development, such as motivational camps or co-curricular activities,” he said, adding that 2,153 students enrolled in the school this year
In the event telecast live on state television, Najib said these payments will also not be one-off payments, but be paid out annually.
While most put the ‘We Love BN’and BN flags in their goodie bags to good use, some blew into the noisy vuvuzelas, making the event seem like a football match or a concert.
“For those from Gelang Patah, let’s bury (DAP veteran leader) Lim Kit Siang,” the emcee said to loud cheers.