RM13 million Sabah State Education Fund aid for 9,000 students
Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025
By: Marutin Ansiung Text Size: Mohamad Arifin (seated, centre) and others VIP in a group photo at the event. KENINGAU: The Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) has spent RM13 million to support the education of more than 9,000 youths in Sabah since its inception three years ago. State Science, Technology and Innovation minister Datuk Dr Mohamad Arifin Arif said this reflected State Government's unwavering dedication to ensuring that no child in Sabah is deprived of educational opportunities.
Advertisement 'This ongoing initiative, launched three years ago by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, underscores the State Government's prioritisation of education as a vital investment in Sabah's future,' he said. Arifin, representing the Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, said this during a ceremony held at the Sabah State Library Auditorium in here on Tuesday, where he officiated the distribution of TPNS aid and the presentation for the Adopted Schools programme in the district. During the ceremony, a total of RM435,695 was disbursed to 180 students from both public and private institutions of higher learning pursuing various academic qualifications, including Science Certificates, Diplomas, Bachelor's Degrees, Master's and Doctorate degrees. The event also recognised outstanding academic achievements, awarding RM1,000 each to a Keningau student who attained 12 A's and three students who secured 10 A's in the recent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination at SM Ken Hwa. A total of 173 secondary school students from the district received free eyeglasses as part of the educational assistance programme. In addition to student aid, public libraries across Sabah including branches in Keningau, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Membakut, Tuaran, Semporna, Sandakan, Tawau, Beaufort, Ranau and Kota Marudu were recipients of educational tablets to enhance learning resources. The ceremony also featured support for the Bahasa Sahabat programme, which aims to strengthen the Malay language and improve English proficiency across four Malaysian Teacher Education Institutes (IPGM) campuses located in Kampus Kent, Keningau, Tawau, and Gaya Kinabalu. Aid for school activities was further extended through the Bagus programme and Sabah Sukes initiatives, benefiting the Keningau District Education Office (PPD) and the Sabah State Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains). Two Adopted Schools which is SK Banjar and SMK Bingkor, were also awarded grants of RM5,000 and RM10,000 respectively. The event was graced by the presence of Assistant Minister of Community Development and People's Well-being Datuk Flovia Ng, who is also the Tulid assemblyman, the Director of the Sabah Education Department and senior officials from Yayasan Sabah Group and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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