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Dalat a model for rural education success, says Fatimah
Fatimah (centre) presents a financial study aid to a student in Dalat today.
DALAT (July 16): Dalat is fast becoming a model of success in Sarawak's rural education efforts, where strategic, data-driven policies are being used to tackle poverty and widen access to higher learning.
State Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said the Dalat constituency has shown that well-targeted financial aid and strong community involvement can transform lives and strengthen local development.
She revealed that Since 2010, the Dalat Education Committee has disbursed RM952,050 in aid, benefitting over 1,800 students pursuing certificate, diploma, degree and other higher education programmes.
'This is not just financial assistance, this is an investment in our children's future and in Dalat's socio-economic development.
'Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and we must ensure that every child who earns a place at university has the means to go,' she said during the N.56 Dalat Education Committee Assistance Presentation Ceremony at the Dalat Service Centre here today.
Fatimah said the aid, drawn from Minor Rural Project (MRP) allocations, aims to reduce the financial burden on families—particularly for upfront costs such as travel, deposits and essential supplies.
'Sometimes students don't even enrol because of financial constraints, even after receiving a university offer. That should never happen,' she said.
Looking ahead, Fatimah announced that her ministry will meet this week with the State Development Office (SDO) and local community leaders to verify and update national poverty data under the eKasih system for Dalat.
'This is to ensure that our aid reaches the right people. We don't want outdated or inaccurate data. We'll work with village chiefs and community leaders to clean the list and identify those truly in need,' she said.
She noted that this grassroots verification method had been effective in addressing hardcore poverty, and would now be applied to target relative poverty in the district.
Fatimah also expressed concern about the rising number of unemployed graduates returning home, saying many had pursued fields that are no longer in demand.
To address this mismatch, she said the Sarawak government will begin offering free higher education at state-owned institutions starting in 2026, but only for courses with strong job prospects such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), law, and finance.
'Graduates must not only obtain degrees, they must be employable. This is why we are focused on guiding students toward fields with strong job prospects,' she said.
She also revealed that her team is working with the Resident's Office to identify unemployed graduates in Dalat, with plans to organise a job fair or training initiatives in collaboration with agencies such as the Social Security organisation (Perkeso).
Among the education assistance available is the Sarawak Special Financial Aid of RM1,200 per year disbursed in two instalments via Yayasan Sarawak.
Graduates who return to Sarawak after completing their studies are also eligible for a one-off RM300 grant, claimable twice.
Fatimah urged all eligible students to apply, while reminding them of the sacrifices made by their families.
'We eat simply so our children can dream big. We hope our students remember this and stay motivated to succeed, not only for themselves but for their families and community,' she said.
She reaffirmed her ministry's commitment to ensuring fair access to education and creating meaningful opportunities for rural youth.
'This is a long-term investment in Dalat's future. We want our children to succeed, come back, contribute, and lift their families and our community to greater heights,' she said. Dalat fatimah abdullah rural education
