BARAM: Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau reminded students in the interior of Baram to focus and concentrate on their studies despite a lack of teaching and learning facilities.

“The government is aware of the problem and shortcomings faced by the schools in remote and rural areas such as Baram that may affect the teaching and learning process including the schools’ and students’ academic performance,” Dennis said during the presentation of incentive awards to the students of SMK Temenggong Datuk Lawai Jau on Friday.

The assemblyman believed that they could do much better or on par with their counterparts in urban areas if the students cultivated a positive outlook and mindset towards these shortcomings or problems.

“You should not be discouraged by problems and inadequacies in facilities and infrastructures. You should take them as challenges for yourselves to do much better or on par with students in the urban areas. Therefore, you must concentrate and focus on your studies,” Dennis reminded the students.

Dennis said it was a waste of time and not worth the sacrifices made by their parents and teachers if they were thinking of getting married after completing their secondary school education.

“You must not stop at secondary school as the scope or chances for better employment will be quite limited as compared with those who continue their studies to the highest level or acquire skills. You can be assured of brighter future if you have good academic qualifications and skills,” said Dennis.

On the incentive awards, Dennis said the students should look at it as encouragement and a motivating factor to do better in their studies.

The assemblyman also commended the teachers for their sacrifices, dedication and commitment in imparting knowledge to students in the interior.

“The problems challenges and requires you to be creative and innovative in your teaching methods in order for students and the school, in general, to achieve better academic and co-curriculum performance,” he said.

Also present at the ceremony were school principal Rechard Emang and its parents-teachers association (PTA) chairman Alex Ubang Usang.