SIBU: The federal government’s RM50 million allocation for national-type and mission schools in Sarawak certainly augurs well for these schools whose many facilities require upgrading, noted SPDP senior vice-president Datuk Paul Igai.

He said this was necessary in order to be on par with those in the urban areas.

“This funding is not new as it has been going on for few years already.

“However, the mechanism needs to be streamlined and we are doing it very closely with the Ministry of Education and Federation of Churches as well.

“This is our sincere effort towards upgrading the facilities for more conducive study environment for the students and teachers, given that many faculties, especially in the rural areas are still not at par with those in the urban areas and cities,” Igai, who is a political secretary to the chief minister, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He was asked his view on the RM50 million allocation for national-type and mission schools in Sarawak this year.

The allocation was given via a special arrangement between Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mah Siew Keong, who was tasked to oversee its implementation.

Mah’s political secretary Ivanpal Singh Grewal said there were 129 national-type and mission schools in the state, and Sarawak received the biggest allocation this year.

Ivanpal met with the state BN parties at SUPP headquarters in Kuching on Wednesday, where representatives from PBB, SPDP and PRS were present.

SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting said they were appealing for more funds as they wanted the best for the schools.