The Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Sarawak (Sabati) has partnered with Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) to foster interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among rural students. Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration, and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala described the Sabati-Petros Rural Education Programme (PPLB-S) as a significant enhancement to government efforts in encouraging these youths to pursue fields that will provide Sarawak with a competitive advantage.
In a Facebook post yesterday, the Mulu assemblyman said the most recent activities undertaken in Mulu included the STEM Camp Carnival for Secondary Schools’ at SMK Telang Usan, the ‘STEM Camp Carnival for Primary Schools at SK Poyut, and the ‘Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Excellence Camp’ at SMK Telang Usan. “This rural education push under the Sabati-Petros partnership meant to provide the rural students the exposure, and to spark in them the interest in STEM”, said Gerawat.
It is informed that the STEM programme for secondary schools and the SPM Camp involved the shortlisted students from SMK Marudi, SMK Marudi and SMK Tutoh-Apoh. “The STEM Camp for primary schools, on the other hand, was attended by pupils selected from 10 primary schools in Mulu constituency”, said Gerawat. According to him, the PPLB-S is implemented in 22 state constituencies all over Sarawak, where the participants are selected from 130 primary schools and 70 secondary schools. “A total of 5,839 schoolchildren have been identified for these programmes”, he added.
Gerawat thanked the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for his support, and also the Premier’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, also the president of Sabati. “Our gratitude also extends to Marudi District Education officer Mathew Laing and all those involved in bringing this programme in Mulu”, said Gerawat. Gerawat’s wife Datin Esther Mujan Balan is the PPLB-S 2024 supervisor.
