GPS clarifies misunderstandings over free tertiary education for Sarawak folk

A SENIOR Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leader has clarified that the state government's promise of free tertiary education for Sarawak folk does not apply to every one of the state’s university students.

Sarawak United Peoples' Party (Supp) deputy secretary-general Datuk Lo Khere Chiang said the state government will only cover the university fees of the state’s students enrolled in selected courses at specific universities approved by the state.

"It will not be a universal free tertiary education for all Sarawak students," he explained.

"Only those Sarawakian students studying selected courses in science and technical fields chosen by the state government will receive free education.

"We must be diligent in managing our resources to meet the state's manpower needs. Those who believe it will be free tertiary education across the board for all courses for all Sarawak students need to understand why the state government must be selective," he said in a press statement.

Supp is a component party of the GPS ruling state coalition, alongside Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu, Parti Rakyat Sarawak, and the Progressive Democratic Party.

Lo mentioned that his party is addressing the latest developments regarding free tertiary education due to misunderstandings on the subject.

For the past year, GPS leaders had not clarified this issue, leading to the impression that the party was offering free tertiary education to all Sarawak university students in five of the state’s universities.

On November 22, last year, the State Legislative Assembly was informed that Sarawak would provide free tertiary education for all Sarawak folk at five higher education institutions owned by the state government, starting in 2026.

State Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee had stated that the free tertiary education policy would come into effect in 2026.

Annuar told the State Assembly that approximately 4,000 Sarawak students at each of the five institutes of higher learning in Sarawak owned by the state government might qualify.

The institutions are Curtin University Malaysia in Miri, Swinburne University of Technology in Kuching, University of Technology in Sibu, I-CATS University College in Kuching, and the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak in Kuching.

"This plan for free tertiary education for Sarawak folk at these five institutions requires very careful and thorough consideration.

"It will begin only in 2026 for second and third-year students. It requires substantial funding and new infrastructure, such as lecture halls, hostels, new lecturers, and teaching support staff," he said during a question and answer session in response to Bawang Assan state assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh. – September 4, 2024.

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