STU welcomes RM60.2 billion allocation for education sector
KUCHING: Sarawak Teachers’ Union ( STU) is grateful for the allocation of RM60.2 billion to the education sector in the National Budget 2019, making it (sector) the largest recipient of fund for next year.
This reflects the sincerity of the federal government to improve the quality of education, says union president Macky Joseph.
STU believes that the allocation should suffice if prudent spending is practised; that the money is spent according to needs, he said.
“From the allocation of RM60.2 billion, RM652 million is meant for the upgrading and maintenance of schools while RM100 million is meant for the reconstruction of dilapidated schools,” Macky said.
There are 1,020 dilapidated schools in Sarawak, with 415 schools categorised as critically dilapidated.
“STU hopes that certain portion of the allocation will be given to these dilapidated schools so that reconstruction, repair, and upgrading works can take place in the soonest time possible,” said Macky.
Apart from allocation to the Education Ministry, a further RM400 million has been allocated for the upgrading, repair and maintenance of government quarters, including teachers’ quarters.
“As a union that looks after the welfare of teachers, STU welcomes this allocation because many teachers’ quarters in Sarawak are sub- standard and rundown. Hopefully, with this allocation, the sub- standard teachers’ quarters can be repaired or rebuilt so that the teachers will no longer have to worry about their living conditions, and can focus on shaping their students to become better citizens,” he said.
The announcement on tax exemption for all donations to fund the upgrading of infrastructure in schools is, meanwhile, a novel move to incentivise and recognise Malaysians who contribute towards nation- building but there must be a clear guideline or standard operating procedures on how the schools can receive such donation, which accounts the donation can go into, and who can issue the tax-exemption receipts to the donors, Macky said.
“With clear guidelines, it is hoped that more individuals and businesses will be interested to help fund the upgrading of schools.
“To ease the burden of working mothers, the federal government has also allocated RM10 million to set up another 50 childcare facilities in government buildings. With women comprising 70 per cent of the teaching workforce, perhaps, some of these childcare facilities can be extended to teachers.
“The allocations of RM2.9 billion to help students from lower income groups, RM256 million for polytechnics, community colleges and TVET, and RM3.8 billion for scholarships and educational loans are also very much welcomed as they will greatly benefit our students.
“We also want to thank the federal government for the special payment of RM500 to civil servants, which will be paid end of this year,” Macky said.
The Budget was tabled by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng in Parliament last Friday.