Hajiji (fourth left) arriving at SK Sri Rugading to officiate the school’s new building.
TUARAN (Nov 23): The Sabah State Government, through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development agenda, has made education and human capital development top priorities, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
After assuming leadership from the previous government, Hajiji expressed his determination to ensure that no student is left behind in their education due to poverty or the inability of families to afford schooling costs.
“Under the SMJ agenda, besides focusing on agriculture, industry and tourism, one of the key areas I emphasize is education because we want to nurture knowledgeable human capital,” he said.
The state government has allocated nearly RM480 million for education and human capital development, a significant investment that surpasses any previous administration’s efforts.
“For next year, the Sabah State Government has more than doubled the allocation for education, including RM127 million for the Sabah State Government Scholarship (BKNS),” Hajiji announced.
He added that various other forms of assistance have been introduced, including One-off Cash Assistance for Higher Learning Registration (BUDI), Sabah Computer Assistance Program (BAIK), Special Examination Aid (BAKTI), Sabah Education Savings Fund Assistance (BISTARI), Sabah Education Excellence Award (AKSA), Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) Activity Assistance (BAGUS), Sabah School Assistance Program (BISBAH) and Special Education Program Assistance (BANTU).
Hajiji highlighted these initiatives during the official launch of the new building for Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Rugading on Saturday.
Hajiji, who is also the Sulaman assemblyman, shared that his challenging experiences as a student inspired his strong commitment to education.
Addressing parents, teachers, students and local residents, Hajiji recounted how his family struggled to pay the RM15 examination fee for the Lower Certificate of Education (LCE) in 1971.
“When I sat for the LCE in 1971, my late mother had to borrow money from my uncles to cover the RM15 fee. I deeply understand the hardship of not having enough money for school expenses because I’ve lived through it,” he said.
To alleviate similar challenges, the BAKTI programme in Sabah provides RM200 to students sitting for SPM, final semester STPM and STAM exams to ease travel and other expenses.
“Although times have changed and job opportunities are more accessible, I believe there are still parents or guardians struggling to afford their children’s education. That is why we introduced cash assistance to support students before their exams,” Hajiji explained.
Acknowledging the rising student population at SK Rugading, Hajiji also supported the proposal for a new school to be built nearby to accommodate the increasing number of students each year.
Also present at the event was Sabah Education Director Datuk Raisin Saidin.
