Local teachers account for about 80 per cent — Manyin
KUCHING: The percentage of local teachers in Sarawak is now over 80 per cent in both primary and secondary schools.
Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin said the current composition of Sarawakian teachers as at Oct 30 is 84.2 per cent in primary schools and 88.2 per cent in secondary schools.
He said figures quoted by Baru Bian ( PKR- Ba Kelalan) which were 88.9 per cent in January this year, was different from the latest figures due to the exclusion of certain defi nition.
“The earlier definition of Sarawakian teachers are: ( a) Sarawak-born teachers, (b) teachers whose spouse are Sarawakians, and (c) non-Sarawakians who have been serving in Sarawak for more than 20 years and have bought houses in Sarawak.
“After Feb 2017, it was decided to exclude the definition ( c). Therefore, the percentages of Sarawakian teachers in 2016 and 2017 differ,” he said.
He added that while the state could dictate policies and overall direction of education due to it being under the federal list, Manyin said the ministry could complement and supplement the effort of the state Education Department to raise Sarawak’s standard of education.
“Moreover, as a ministry, we can project the needs of the state more efficiently to the federal ministry.
“Our voice will have more influence than individual voices of education officers in highlighting the state’s needs,” he said.
He also said the state government has agreed that the Teachers Training Institute ( IPG) in Miri would be turned into a polytechnic but they are still exploring the optimal use for IPG Rajang in Bintangor before making a counter proposal to the federal government.
Both IPGs in Miri and Bintangor have to be closed following the federal government’s decision.
Manyin a lso said the the Biovalley Park building located at Curtin University Malaysia has recently been completed.
The second tender for equipment is currently being processed while the final equipment tender will be called on the first week of January next year.
“Rectification works are currently ongoing under the Defects Liability Period and the facility will be fully operational by the middle of next year.
“The Biovalley Park will be managed and operated by Curtain Malaysia, and it fits with the intentions of Sarawak Research and Development Ordinance in facilitating commercialisation and ultimately enhancing the bioeconomy of Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhi l e , the i ssue of psychometric test continues to be the talking point.
Manyin said the reason for the test was to find out job suitability for those applying to become teachers.
He said 88 per cent or 526 of 601 interim teachers in 2016 had already passed, while the remaining 75 will be given one last chance to sit for the test.
He even jokingly suggested that politicians should also sit for the test to find out whether they are qualified to be in politics, which prompted Wong King Wei ( DAP - Padungan) to disagree because of the fear it might be used to disqualify an assemblyman.
Manyin said he was just joking. “The problem with DAP is that you always presume”.
KUCHING: About 89 per cent of rural areas are now enjoying electricity supply through the federal-funded Rural Electrification Scheme ( RES).
This was disclosed by Minister of Public Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi, who said it included the overall coverage in the state which stands at 95 per cent.
“About 110,000 new rural households are enjoying 24hour electricity through the federal- funded RES since 2009. Now, the overall electricity coverage in the state is 95 per cent while the rural areas is 89 per cent,” he said in his windingup speech yesterday.
Dr Rundi added that it was always the plan and intention of the state government to narrow the gap between urban and rural areas to enable every Sarawakian to enjoy mainstream development.
He added that new transmission lines and substations in the rural areas had been planned under the Rural Power Supply Master Plan, which would form part of the integrated transmission system to connect rural areas to the main grid.
He told the House that among the extra High Voltage rural transmission substations planned are Tatau 275KV, Kanowit 132KV and Ba Kelalan 132 KV, to further strengthen supply in the respective areas and to support future economic growth.
Another initiative for rural electrification in the state is Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme ( SARES), which has benefited about 7,700 people from 1,400 households in 58 villages since last year, he said.
He added that over 3,000 people from 700 households in 32 villages are expected to enjoy electricity through SARES this year.
“When SARES is completed in 2020, over 320 remote villages in the state will also be able to enjoy 24-hour electricity through this community-based solar and micro-hydro systems.
“The state government will co- ordinate with the federal government for rural power supply funding to achieve full electrification under the Rural Power Supply Master Plan,” he said.
This would include the development of other rural transmission substations and the use of covered conductor design suitable for conditions in the state, he added.
About 110,000 new rural households are enjoying 24-hour electricity through the federal-funded RES since 2009. Now, the overall electricity coverage in the state is 95 per cent while the rural areas is 89 per cent. Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi, Minister of Public Utilities