Dr Chu (right) with Wong at an exhibition booth. On the left is Dr Chia. SIBU: A total of 570,659 people, or 23 per cent of the state’s population, visited government dental facilities in the state last year. In addition, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said, 89 per cent or 70,019 children from 2,493 kindergartens received oral healthcare in 2014. For primary school children, he said 96 per cent or 240,549 pupils from 1,244 primary schools in the state received oral healthcare under the Incremental School Dental Programme. “Secondary schools were also covered, and 43 per cent of students in 107 schools received care last year. “All these will contribute to a healthy nation and a healthy state because ...

Sarawak has a literacy rate of over 90 per cent. The Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) overseas schools at primary and secondary levels. Primary education usually begins in the child’s seventh year and continues for six years. Students usually enter secondary school in their 13th year, where they can continue for seven years until Upper Six to sit for Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) or Malaysian Higher School Certificate. This is required to enter public universities and is equivalent to A-Levels. Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or Malaysian Certificate of Education is taken in the fifth year of secondary school and is equivalent to O-Levels. SPM can be used to enter public and private pre-university and matriculation ...

Dennis (third left) wades through the muddy school field to meet the students. Headmaster Jok Jau Jenggo is at second left. MARUDI: Teachers, particularly in rural schools, have been asked to commit themselves to their postings. Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said teachers need to settle down in the schools they are posted to and fully concentrate on their jobs. “Always be on the lookout for ways to improve teaching quality for your students. I believe if these components complement each other, coupled with programmes being put in place by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, our future generations will be of world-class standard and be able to compete with anyone,” he said when launching the SK9 Long Bedian school sports meet recently. “Since ...

BINTULU: A Non Destructive Test (NDT) programme which is the first in Borneo will be introduced at Advanced Technology Training Centre (Adtec) Bintulu by the end of this year. This was disclosed by its director Dr Ramli Rashidi, who said the new programme is part of its plan to ensure Adtec Bintulu remain relevant as a high performance Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution and to ensure it can meet the huge demand from the oil and gas sector in Sarawak. “We are technically ready to start this new programme soon with the facilities and expertise almost ready and the only thing now is to do the final set-up. “NDT skills have high commercial value in the country and it will be an advantage for those who have NDT certificate. Therefore, Adtec ...

Ramli sharing his knowledge with the students on their final year project. BINTULU: The technical sector which requires highly skilled workers is now considered a first class profession in the world. Advanced Technology Training Centre (Adtec) Bintulu director Dr Ramli Rashidi said this is because highly skilled workers are paid based on their expertise — the more skills they have the higher their income. Unfortunately, the level of awareness and understanding of the importance of technical education in the state particularly among parents was still low, he lamented. “Parents’ support is vital to encourage their children to pick up technical education and vocational and technical field is no more a second class sector because many people have succeeded ...

Datuk Henry Sum Agong LAWAS: Those feeling the pinch of the goods and services tax (GST) should remember the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) and other forms of government aid for students, farmers and fishermen. Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong said the government gave this aid despite economic uncertainties in the world, depressed world oil prices, and unrest in the Middle East. Officiating at the ‘My Neighbours, My Family’ event organised by Neighbourhood Watch Committee (KRT) Tanjong Pagar in Sundar here on Saturday, he thus advised the people to watch out for those who played up these issues for political points. “The state election is near, and I hope the people are matured enough to evaluate issues rationally and be well-informed to avoid ...

SIBU: Conforming schools are regarded as possessing their own strength and uniqueness, thus making them a choice for parents in certain places. Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said in the context of Sarawak in particular, the multi-racial community does not view conforming schools, numbering 10 in the state, as different from that of national secondary schools. In fact, she added, parents view them as avenues that can build rapport and foster cooperation among students of different backgrounds. And this could give benefit to cooperation in various socio-economy activities, entrepreneurship and commerce after completing school. “This strength needs to be recognised in our efforts to build a developed nation and responsible citizens,” ...

Kong (fourth left) handing over event banners to representatives from participating NGOs. SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has drawn up a list of activities to mark this year’s Earth Hour and Earth Day on March 28. The activities include a gotong-royong (work party) by University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS), ‘Share The Road’ event by Sibu Youth councillors; eco-essay writing and quiz competition for students, community development programme at villages, eco-colouring contest and eco-handicraft do-it-yourself (DIY) sessions, as well as an e-waste recycling demonstration by Computer Sales and Services Association. According to deputy organising chairperson Sylvia Kong, the activities will run from March 28 to April 17 at various venues here. All ...

Abang Johari (seated) giving his own version of a director’s ‘shout-out’ at the launch of Aiffa 2015 in Kuala Lumpur. KUCHING: The city will come alive with cinematic magic at the second Asean International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa), set to take place from April 9 to 11. Themed Aiffa Movies and Networking Inspire Asean (Aiffa Mania), this second edition will see a star-studded list of celebrities which includes Nora Aunor and the Giuterrezz family from the Philippines, Zay Yar Aung (Myanmar), Pongsatorn Jongwilas (Thailand), Chy Thmor (Cambodia), Mello-Pham Thi Nhung, Siu Pham (Vietnam), Hanung Bramantyo (Indonesia), Tony Kern (Singapore), Datuk Yusoff Haslam (Malaysian Film Producers Association president) and chief juror U-Wei Saari (Malaysia). “This ...

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 ...