SABAH STATE EDUCATION AID ENSURES FAIR ACCESS FOR STUDENTS, SAYS HAJIJI

KOTA KINABALU, March 5 (Bernama) -- The Sabah state government continues to be proactive in providing educational assistance to students even though it falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government, but cooperation continues to ensure fair and equitable access to education for all layers of society in Sabah.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that the effort aligns with the implementation of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 Roadmap for the period 2026-2030, which serves as the main strategic plan to boost the state's competitiveness and productivity sustainably and inclusively.

"Make full use of the ticket subsidies, cash assistance and zakat provided by the government, in addition to being aware of every development agenda implemented by the state government, including the development of water, road and electricity infrastructure," he said.

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Hajiji said this while speaking at the launch programme of the Higher Education Student Contribution Assistance Initiative in Sabah (SENTOSA) at the Rafflesia Hall, Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic here today.

At the event, 3,366 Sabah students of the polytechnic received SENTOSA cash assistance.

Hajiji said the state government implemented 14 educational assistance initiatives with a total expenditure of RM210.25 million over five years, benefitting hundreds of thousands of students in Sabah.

He said that out of that number, 90,296 students from Higher Education Institutions (IPTs), 184,911 school students, 1,500 students from schools including religious schools, and 57 student associations from IPTs in Sabah have benefitted, in addition to the implementation of 362 educational programmes.

He said that for this year alone, the state government allocated RM100 million for the Sabah State Government Scholarship, which is expected to benefit 5,000 students.

"This year, it is estimated that around 30,000 Sabah IPT students studying in the state will benefit from the SENTOSA aid," he also said.

He added that the 14 educational initiatives would continue in the form of funds and facilities for various purposes, including the registration of university students, educational programmes, as well as facilities and digital equipment in line with the agenda of the 13th Malaysia Plan.

-- BERNAMA