Alexander (fourth left) presents the cheque to SK Rantau Dilang headmaster Sempurai Anggau, witnessed by (from left) Ambrose Pengiran, Berita, Bundong and Ambrose Jarit.

KANOWIT: Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent has announced an allocation of RM1,500 to each parents-teachers association (PTA) of 18 schools across his constituency.

According to him, the 1Malaysia People’s Foundation had agreed to allocate the amount.

The assemblyman was met after the closing of district-level ‘Excellent Boarding School Awards (ASAT) Carnival 2015’ at SK Nanga Ngungun here recently.

The two-day event was attended by 664 pupils, teachers and non-teaching personnel from 21 primary schools across the district.

Later at the ceremony, Alexander also presented funds from his minor rural project (MRP) grant to five schools in Ngemah.

Meanwhile, head of Human Development and Management Sector under the state Education Department, Ambrose Jarit, said it would be more advantageous for rural students to stay in hostels, given that many of them come from villages far from the schools that they are attending.

“This is especially true for students from longhouses that are very far from the school.

“By staying in hostels, they can save money instead of spending it on daily transportation, which could be a burden to their families. Moreover, they can concentrate more on their studies,” he said at the closing ceremony.

According to Ambrose Jarit, the government through the state Education Department provides up to RM18 per hostel student for their daily meals.

“This year alone, about RM300 million has been allocated to the department to provide meals for students staying in boarding schools.”

On another matter, Ambrose Jarit also advised teachers never to go overboard in their conduct, stressing that they must treat and respect those under their charge as fellow human beings.

“It is our duty to instil discipline in students, but we must also follow proper guidelines and abide by the rules.”

The ceremony was also attended by Kanowit District Education Department assistant officer Berita Sabang, SK Nanga Ngungun headmaster Bundong Nibong and its PTA chairman Councillor Lakun Laga, as well as local community leader Penghulu Ambrose Pengiran.