MUKAH: The government’s plan to establish educational institutions here proves that the government is committed to raising the level of public education.

Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, said it was in line with the state government’s plan to make Mukah a ‘Smart City’ in 2020.

“The government is very concerned about the education of the people because the government knows that through education, people can improve their living standards.

“In addition, the government realised that through education, it is capable of nurturing quality human capital to fill the jobs provided by the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) ,” he said.

Awang Tengah pointed out that there were already several educational institutions here including Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) campus, Polytechnics and Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) and there were also plans to establish College Laila Taib and a University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) campus here.

He was speaking at the launch of the construction of Mukah Peryatim Complex and Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Agama Mukah at the Mesra Civic Centre here yesterday.

Educational institutions such as College Laila Taib and Unimas campus that offer various programmes will provide the opportunity to the youth to explore in wide range of fields in their tertiary studies.

“Youths who have graduated will have a good chance to be employed and can nurture skill workers for the development of local industry,” he said.

Commenting on SK Agama Igan which is 65 per cent completed, Awang Tengah pointed out the new facility could accommodate more than 700 students.

“It was a government initiative to provide the facility for the local community and for the comfort of the people,” he said.

“All this is for the people. When the facility is hundred per cent ready, parents will no longer have to send their children far away,” he added.

Awang Tengah said that the Peryatim complex was announced by former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Maulidur Rasul celebration last year.

Also present were Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, State Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Awang Nassar and others.