74 Sabah Chinese schools receive RM7.5mil aid

KOTA KINABALU: Seventy-four national-type Chinese schools here received a timely financial boost of more than RM7.5mil from the Federal Government, just weeks before classes resume in 2018.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon handed out the aid to 66 national-type primary schools that collectively received RM6mil here yesterday. He also presented a total of RM1.5mil to eight national-type secondary schools as part of the Federal Government’s yearly assistance to the schools.

Chong told the media later that Sabah national-type Chinese school had received more than RM50mil in such aid over the past five years.

He said the assistance, which had been given since 2008 when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took over as Finance Minister, was to enable schools to improve their facilities and buildings.

Chong said schools that had received the aid had seen an improvement in their facilities for students. To a question, he said the aid amount depended on the request from the school, ranging between RM10,000 and RM1mil.

“Schools that received a big amount this year may get less next year. So we use this method to help all the schools regardless of whether they have a large or small student population,” said Chong.

Also present were Special Tasks Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Teo Chee Kang, Luyang Assemblyman Datuk Dr Hiew King Cheu, Deputy State Speaker Datuk Dr Johnson Tee and Sabah MCA deputy chairman Datuk Francis Goh.

Schools that received a big amount this year may get less next year. So we use this method to help all the schools regardless of whether they have a large or small student population. Datuk Chong Sin Woon