2008/05/19
Police report lodged against Selangor government
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SHAH ALAM, Mon.
An unemployed graduate has lodged a police report against the Selangor
government, claiming it has misled the people on its education cash
aid for diploma and degree-level students.
In his report at Section 7 police station here today, Mohd Shaid
Rosli, 26, claimed that the Pakatan Rakyat government had failed to
honour its promise of awarding RM1,000 cash aid to all students who
had secured places at universities.
"They had promised to award RM1,000 to all students who gain admission
at the universities, but yesterday they (Selangor government) said the
cash will be given to diploma and degree-level students from families
earning less than RM1,500 a month. This is misleading," he told
reporters after lodging the report.
Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was reported as
saying yesterday that the cash aid would begin with diploma and
degree-level students from poor families earning less than RM1,500 a
month.
May 18, 2008
Student writes her way to Dublin
Sunday May 18, 2008
Student writes her way to Dublin
KUALA LUMPUR: Perseverance was key to Genevieve Keizha Leon's (pic) win at the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for Young Malaysians 2008 essay writing competition.
The Stella Maris High School Form Four student won herself the grand prize of a trip for two to Dublin, Ireland and a LCD projector for her school on her second attempt.
She had taken part in the competition in 2006 and won the merit award of RM750.
“From experience, if you don't achieve what you want at the first try, try again,” she said at the award ceremony on Friday.
Her essay, based on this year's theme “Tomorrow's World”, touched on the global problems past and present and her vision of a utopian future.
Irish ambassador to Malaysia Eugene Hutchinson, who was one of the judges, said he enjoyed the insights provided by the writers.
“I'm really impressed by the great maturity of our participants, which testifies to the talent present in schools here,” he said in his closing speech.
He also encouraged the participants to tackle global and national issues through writing.
Besides the grand prize and the special prize for the winner’s school, merit awards were presented for nine other essays and consolation prizes for 10 others.
Others on the judging panel included The Star group editorial/ education adviser Datuk Ng Poh Tip, honorary consul of Ireland Datuk Dr Peter Mooney, National Library director of general information services Siti Aishah Sheikh Kadir and Silverfish Books managing director Raman Krishnan.
In its sixth year, the competition is organised by the Irish Embassy, The Star and the Impac management company, with support from the National Library of Malaysia and the Education Ministry.
Student writes her way to Dublin
KUALA LUMPUR: Perseverance was key to Genevieve Keizha Leon's (pic) win at the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for Young Malaysians 2008 essay writing competition.
The Stella Maris High School Form Four student won herself the grand prize of a trip for two to Dublin, Ireland and a LCD projector for her school on her second attempt.
She had taken part in the competition in 2006 and won the merit award of RM750.
“From experience, if you don't achieve what you want at the first try, try again,” she said at the award ceremony on Friday.
Her essay, based on this year's theme “Tomorrow's World”, touched on the global problems past and present and her vision of a utopian future.
Irish ambassador to Malaysia Eugene Hutchinson, who was one of the judges, said he enjoyed the insights provided by the writers.
“I'm really impressed by the great maturity of our participants, which testifies to the talent present in schools here,” he said in his closing speech.
He also encouraged the participants to tackle global and national issues through writing.
Besides the grand prize and the special prize for the winner’s school, merit awards were presented for nine other essays and consolation prizes for 10 others.
Others on the judging panel included The Star group editorial/ education adviser Datuk Ng Poh Tip, honorary consul of Ireland Datuk Dr Peter Mooney, National Library director of general information services Siti Aishah Sheikh Kadir and Silverfish Books managing director Raman Krishnan.
In its sixth year, the competition is organised by the Irish Embassy, The Star and the Impac management company, with support from the National Library of Malaysia and the Education Ministry.
May 14, 2008
12,000 grants for SPM top scorers
2008/05/15
12,000 grants for SPM top scorers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Service Department (PSD) is offering 12,000 scholarships to outstanding students who sat the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination last year.
Of the total, 2,000 scholarships are offered under the foreign degree programme and another 10,000 under the local degree programme.
The list of successful applicants for the Foreign Degree Programme was posted on the PSD website on May 11.
Unsuccessful candidates have up to May 17 to submit their appeal online.
Of the 15,217 applicants who applied for scholarships under the foreign degree programme, 7,253 were called for interviews.
Selection was based on academic excellence (70 per cent), socio-economic background (10 per cent), performance at the interview (10 per cent) and co-curricular activities (10 per cent).
The PSD said that due to the limited number of scholarships available, a small number of academically-outstanding students was unsuccessful in its application.
However, students who gain admission to Ivy League-standard foreign universities would also be sponsored. Iinformation will be posted online at www.jpa.gov.my by early next month. Applications can also be made then.
Under the local degree programme, successful applicants will be sponsored to pursue diploma and degree courses in local institutions of higher learning.
It was announced yesterday that SPM holders are eligible for scholarships for diploma programmes. Those pursuing diploma, matriculation, Sijil Persekolahan Tinggi Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia are eligible for degree programme scholarships.
Applicants for the programme must have secured an admission to a degree programme, and will be judged on academic excellence (80 per cent) and socio-economic background (20 per cent).
12,000 grants for SPM top scorers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Service Department (PSD) is offering 12,000 scholarships to outstanding students who sat the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination last year.
Of the total, 2,000 scholarships are offered under the foreign degree programme and another 10,000 under the local degree programme.
The list of successful applicants for the Foreign Degree Programme was posted on the PSD website on May 11.
Unsuccessful candidates have up to May 17 to submit their appeal online.
Of the 15,217 applicants who applied for scholarships under the foreign degree programme, 7,253 were called for interviews.
Selection was based on academic excellence (70 per cent), socio-economic background (10 per cent), performance at the interview (10 per cent) and co-curricular activities (10 per cent).
The PSD said that due to the limited number of scholarships available, a small number of academically-outstanding students was unsuccessful in its application.
However, students who gain admission to Ivy League-standard foreign universities would also be sponsored. Iinformation will be posted online at www.jpa.gov.my by early next month. Applications can also be made then.
Under the local degree programme, successful applicants will be sponsored to pursue diploma and degree courses in local institutions of higher learning.
It was announced yesterday that SPM holders are eligible for scholarships for diploma programmes. Those pursuing diploma, matriculation, Sijil Persekolahan Tinggi Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia are eligible for degree programme scholarships.
Applicants for the programme must have secured an admission to a degree programme, and will be judged on academic excellence (80 per cent) and socio-economic background (20 per cent).
Fire that left 1,000 homeless shows importance of communications equipment
Monday May 12, 2008
Fire that left 1,000 homeless shows importance of communications equipment
MIRI: It has been a futile 20-year wait for one satellite telephone set. No wonder the fire victims at the Punan Bah settlement in Kapit Division in central Sarawak are feeling disappointed.
Twenty years ago, politicians who visited the 1,500-strong community from the minority Punan ethnic group said Punan Bah would be equipped with a satellite communication set so they could contact the outside world in the event of emergencies.
"Twenty years ago, we asked the politicians and they agreed. We are still waiting today," said Punan National Association publicity bureau chief Calvin Jemarang.
These satellite phones are vital communication equipment in deep-forested areas and mountainous regions where no fixed line or cellular phone connections are available.
In Sarawak, timber camps, rural clinics and rural police stations are equipped with these facilities so workers stationed there can communicate with their counterparts in the outside world. Each satellite phone set costs about RM10,000.
Last Monday, fire razed three longhouse blocks in Punan Bah, located some 500km south of here, and completely destroyed the wooden living quarters, leaving some 1,000 homeless. Punan Bah is about 250 years old, one of the oldest settlements in Sarawak.
It took more than a day before the fire victims could travel down to Belaga town by river and logging roads, some 80km from the site, to notify the police about the fire and to appeal for help from the welfare authorities, because of logistical problems and because the Punan Bah settlement did not have any telecommunication equipment.
Jemarang said the fire disaster showed how important it was for every populated settlement to be equipped with at least one phone.
"Communication linkage is a vital necessity, without which nobody in the outside world would know what is happening to people living in the deep interior," he said.
"If possible, Internet facilities must be installed in these settlements. In the event of tragedies or disasters, swift response can minimise damage and save lives," he said.
Jemarang also appealed for fire extinguishers, water pumps and hoses for all longhouses.
Fire that left 1,000 homeless shows importance of communications equipment
MIRI: It has been a futile 20-year wait for one satellite telephone set. No wonder the fire victims at the Punan Bah settlement in Kapit Division in central Sarawak are feeling disappointed.
Twenty years ago, politicians who visited the 1,500-strong community from the minority Punan ethnic group said Punan Bah would be equipped with a satellite communication set so they could contact the outside world in the event of emergencies.
"Twenty years ago, we asked the politicians and they agreed. We are still waiting today," said Punan National Association publicity bureau chief Calvin Jemarang.
These satellite phones are vital communication equipment in deep-forested areas and mountainous regions where no fixed line or cellular phone connections are available.
In Sarawak, timber camps, rural clinics and rural police stations are equipped with these facilities so workers stationed there can communicate with their counterparts in the outside world. Each satellite phone set costs about RM10,000.
Last Monday, fire razed three longhouse blocks in Punan Bah, located some 500km south of here, and completely destroyed the wooden living quarters, leaving some 1,000 homeless. Punan Bah is about 250 years old, one of the oldest settlements in Sarawak.
It took more than a day before the fire victims could travel down to Belaga town by river and logging roads, some 80km from the site, to notify the police about the fire and to appeal for help from the welfare authorities, because of logistical problems and because the Punan Bah settlement did not have any telecommunication equipment.
Jemarang said the fire disaster showed how important it was for every populated settlement to be equipped with at least one phone.
"Communication linkage is a vital necessity, without which nobody in the outside world would know what is happening to people living in the deep interior," he said.
"If possible, Internet facilities must be installed in these settlements. In the event of tragedies or disasters, swift response can minimise damage and save lives," he said.
Jemarang also appealed for fire extinguishers, water pumps and hoses for all longhouses.
IKBN youths highly sought after
Monday May 12, 2008
IKBN youths highly sought after
BERA: More than half the youths attending short-term courses at the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN or Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara) get job offers even before they complete their courses, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
"This shows that courses offered at the institute are relevant to the jobs market," he said at the "IKBN With The Community Day", held in Laman Kerayong, here yesterday.
"The 56% who have jobs waiting for them while still in their last semester, took the automotive, catering and electrical courses."
Ismail Sabri said currently there were 15 such fully-operational institutes in the country and that six others would start operations soon.
He said the courses offered at these institutes normally took between a year and three years to complete.
Ismail Sabri said RM40mil had been set aside to provide loans to the students once they leave to start their own businesses.
"We have now simplified the process of giving out the loans," he said.
So far RM2.5mil has been doled out.
IKBN youths highly sought after
BERA: More than half the youths attending short-term courses at the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN or Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara) get job offers even before they complete their courses, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
"This shows that courses offered at the institute are relevant to the jobs market," he said at the "IKBN With The Community Day", held in Laman Kerayong, here yesterday.
"The 56% who have jobs waiting for them while still in their last semester, took the automotive, catering and electrical courses."
Ismail Sabri said currently there were 15 such fully-operational institutes in the country and that six others would start operations soon.
He said the courses offered at these institutes normally took between a year and three years to complete.
Ismail Sabri said RM40mil had been set aside to provide loans to the students once they leave to start their own businesses.
"We have now simplified the process of giving out the loans," he said.
So far RM2.5mil has been doled out.
Girl with 10A1s shocked by PSD's rejection
Wednesday May 14, 2008
Girl with 10A1s shocked by PSD's rejection
IPOH: K. Kamine Devi was shocked that the Public Services Department (PSD) had turned down her application to study medicine overseas despite her having scored 10A1s in last year's SPM.
This after the PSD had issued a statement recently guaranteeing scholarships for students who scored 9As in their SPM.
Let down: Kamine showing Sivanesan her SPM results. With them are her parents B. Karunakaran, 52, and R. Ragini, 49.
What was worse was that her application for a matriculation programme was also rejected.
Kamine, 17, said she had her heart set on becoming a doctor and even participated in an attachment programme in April that exposed her to a doctor's job.
"I couldn't believe my eyes when I found out on Sunday through the PSD website that my application was unsuccessful," she said yesterday, adding that she checked the result of her application several times.
"I felt that my world collapsed that day," said the former student of SMK Ahmad Boestamam in Sitiawan, about 90km from here.
Speaking at a press conference called by the Perak Health, Environment and Human Resources Committee chairman A. Sivanesan, Kamine said her quality control father who earns RM3,600 a month could not afford to send her overseas to pursue Medicine.
"I just want to become a doctor so I can serve the country," said Kamine, who was also active in her school co-curricular activities.
Sivanesan said the rejection of Kamine's application made a mockery of the PSD's earlier statement.
"The PSD should have taken the top-scorers result from the Malaysian Examination Syndicate and offer scholarships to the students. It is up to the students whether to accept or reject the scholarships," he said.
He invited parents of bright children who faced a similar predicament to see him.
"I will assist them in writing to the PSD," he said.
Girl with 10A1s shocked by PSD's rejection
IPOH: K. Kamine Devi was shocked that the Public Services Department (PSD) had turned down her application to study medicine overseas despite her having scored 10A1s in last year's SPM.
This after the PSD had issued a statement recently guaranteeing scholarships for students who scored 9As in their SPM.
Let down: Kamine showing Sivanesan her SPM results. With them are her parents B. Karunakaran, 52, and R. Ragini, 49.
What was worse was that her application for a matriculation programme was also rejected.
Kamine, 17, said she had her heart set on becoming a doctor and even participated in an attachment programme in April that exposed her to a doctor's job.
"I couldn't believe my eyes when I found out on Sunday through the PSD website that my application was unsuccessful," she said yesterday, adding that she checked the result of her application several times.
"I felt that my world collapsed that day," said the former student of SMK Ahmad Boestamam in Sitiawan, about 90km from here.
Speaking at a press conference called by the Perak Health, Environment and Human Resources Committee chairman A. Sivanesan, Kamine said her quality control father who earns RM3,600 a month could not afford to send her overseas to pursue Medicine.
"I just want to become a doctor so I can serve the country," said Kamine, who was also active in her school co-curricular activities.
Sivanesan said the rejection of Kamine's application made a mockery of the PSD's earlier statement.
"The PSD should have taken the top-scorers result from the Malaysian Examination Syndicate and offer scholarships to the students. It is up to the students whether to accept or reject the scholarships," he said.
He invited parents of bright children who faced a similar predicament to see him.
"I will assist them in writing to the PSD," he said.
Many e-commerce tools readily available for SMEs to boost profits
Tuesday May 13, 2008
Many e-commerce tools readily available for SMEs to boost profits
KUALA LUMPUR: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can create an online presence and boost profits – without spending a sen.
Industry professionals said the expansion of businesses into e-commerce could be achieved by using available free products such as those from Google and eBay.
Chiica Consultations education specialist Chris Chan said SMEs need to change their perception and realise it is now the time to take their business online.
"We need to convince people to take the first step. There are too many people who say 'I can't do it'," she said.
Xtrain CEO Bikesh Lakhmichand said some were afraid of information and communication technologies (ICT), either because they did not understand it or because they thought it was too expensive.
Industry professionals: (From left) Chan, Oh, Neowave Internet marketing specialist Ethan Chong and Bikesh will be among the speakers for the MIRC e-SMEs Week event.
"There is readily available freeware which you can use. The big boys (companies) are already doing this (going online). We are trying to get the small boys to do it too. Work with Google and eBay product lines. They don't cost much, or in some cases, anything at all," he said.
Bikesh said the only thing that SMEs needed to invest in was time – to learn about e-business and maintain their online system after they had set it up.
"You either hire someone who knows (e-business) or train existing staff," he said.
Neowave business development director Adrian Oh concurred, saying the challenge faced by SMEs was to get someone to run the e-business aspect.
"If they want to see results, they will need to learn or hire. They will need to be consistent, otherwise it will just die off," he said.
To learn more, the MCA ICT Resource Centre (MIRC) is organising an e-SMEs Week at Wisma MCA, Jalan Ampang, here, from Tuesday to Thursday.
Among the highlights are MIRC e-enablement workshops, IT training programmes, showcases and e-business talks.
Chan, Bikesh and Oh will be among the speakers at the event, which is free to the public.
Many e-commerce tools readily available for SMEs to boost profits
KUALA LUMPUR: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can create an online presence and boost profits – without spending a sen.
Industry professionals said the expansion of businesses into e-commerce could be achieved by using available free products such as those from Google and eBay.
Chiica Consultations education specialist Chris Chan said SMEs need to change their perception and realise it is now the time to take their business online.
"We need to convince people to take the first step. There are too many people who say 'I can't do it'," she said.
Xtrain CEO Bikesh Lakhmichand said some were afraid of information and communication technologies (ICT), either because they did not understand it or because they thought it was too expensive.
Industry professionals: (From left) Chan, Oh, Neowave Internet marketing specialist Ethan Chong and Bikesh will be among the speakers for the MIRC e-SMEs Week event.
"There is readily available freeware which you can use. The big boys (companies) are already doing this (going online). We are trying to get the small boys to do it too. Work with Google and eBay product lines. They don't cost much, or in some cases, anything at all," he said.
Bikesh said the only thing that SMEs needed to invest in was time – to learn about e-business and maintain their online system after they had set it up.
"You either hire someone who knows (e-business) or train existing staff," he said.
Neowave business development director Adrian Oh concurred, saying the challenge faced by SMEs was to get someone to run the e-business aspect.
"If they want to see results, they will need to learn or hire. They will need to be consistent, otherwise it will just die off," he said.
To learn more, the MCA ICT Resource Centre (MIRC) is organising an e-SMEs Week at Wisma MCA, Jalan Ampang, here, from Tuesday to Thursday.
Among the highlights are MIRC e-enablement workshops, IT training programmes, showcases and e-business talks.
Chan, Bikesh and Oh will be among the speakers at the event, which is free to the public.
May 08, 2008
No plans to stop giving study loans
2008/05/08
No plans to stop giving study loans
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not scrap the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) scheme even though there are more than 500,000 loan defaulters owing it an estimated RM700 million.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Idris Haron said the scheme was introduced to help those who wanted to pursue higher education, but faced financial difficulties.
"Many students have reaped the benefits of getting a formal education and have been gainfully employed," said Idris.
However, he said the loan defaulters were jeopardising that arrangement.
"Borrowers should do the right thing and be responsible.
"Once they get a job and earn an income, they should repay the loan," he said, adding that the minimum amount was RM70 and instalments could be arranged for up to 20 years.
"Put it this way: it is as if we are borrowing money owned by the future generation.
"So, if defaulters do not repay the loan, the next generation will be robbed of having the privilege of an education."
Since the corporation's inception in 1997, PTPTN has disbursed RM1.5 billion to some 1.1 million borrowers.
Idris said this yesterday after the launch of the Open University Malaysia's (OUM) e-content and alumni portal by its chancellor, Datin Paduka Seri Jeanne Abdullah.
In her speech, Jeanne said the project signified the institution's commitment towards quality education by providing interactive aids to supplement printed modules.
"I am heartened by this initiative, and believe this will enhance student experiences and make learning fun and engaging."
In his welcoming remarks, vice-chancellor Professor Tan Sri Anwar Ali said the university had achieved a lot in the seven years of its existence.
"The supplementary modules provide learners with value-added education, besides being flexible and offering greater freedom in the learning process," he said.
OUM offers 51 programmes and has 60 learning centres, including in Bahrain and Yemen.
No plans to stop giving study loans
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not scrap the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) scheme even though there are more than 500,000 loan defaulters owing it an estimated RM700 million.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Idris Haron said the scheme was introduced to help those who wanted to pursue higher education, but faced financial difficulties.
"Many students have reaped the benefits of getting a formal education and have been gainfully employed," said Idris.
However, he said the loan defaulters were jeopardising that arrangement.
"Borrowers should do the right thing and be responsible.
"Once they get a job and earn an income, they should repay the loan," he said, adding that the minimum amount was RM70 and instalments could be arranged for up to 20 years.
"Put it this way: it is as if we are borrowing money owned by the future generation.
"So, if defaulters do not repay the loan, the next generation will be robbed of having the privilege of an education."
Since the corporation's inception in 1997, PTPTN has disbursed RM1.5 billion to some 1.1 million borrowers.
Idris said this yesterday after the launch of the Open University Malaysia's (OUM) e-content and alumni portal by its chancellor, Datin Paduka Seri Jeanne Abdullah.
In her speech, Jeanne said the project signified the institution's commitment towards quality education by providing interactive aids to supplement printed modules.
"I am heartened by this initiative, and believe this will enhance student experiences and make learning fun and engaging."
In his welcoming remarks, vice-chancellor Professor Tan Sri Anwar Ali said the university had achieved a lot in the seven years of its existence.
"The supplementary modules provide learners with value-added education, besides being flexible and offering greater freedom in the learning process," he said.
OUM offers 51 programmes and has 60 learning centres, including in Bahrain and Yemen.
Sabah schools lack funds 'for even basic facilities'
2008/05/08
At the Sabah Assembly: Sabah schools lack funds 'for even basic facilities'
Datuk Seri Musa Aman (right) with Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan (second from left) and Datuk Yahya Hussin before his speech at the assembly yesterday.
MANY schools in Sabah are short of tables and chairs, forcing students to sit on the floor during classes.
The problem was attributed to insufficient funds for the maintenance and buying of additional tables and chairs from the Education Ministry.
State Education Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said a sum of RM21.4 million was required to address the problem but the Education Ministry only approved RM2.2 million.
"This (allocation given by the Education Ministry) is unacceptable," he said, adding that Sabah had yet to receive the RM2.2 million approved for the state.
He apologised for not being able to solve the many problems and issues raised by members of the House, saying that he was "powerless".
"Although I am the minister in charge of education in Sabah, there is nothing much I can do because the approval and provision of funds for schools is not within my power."
Sabah has a total of 1,064 government primary schools and 207 secondary schools, but Masidi did not specify how many of the schools did not have sufficient tables and chairs.
Masidi said all he could do was to continue writing to the Education Ministry about the problem.
On Monday, Datuk Hamisah Samat (Umno-Tanjung Batu) had told the house that pupils of SK Kalabakan in her constituency had to sit on the floor during classes due to lack of tables and chairs.
Winding-up for his ministry, Masidi said the problem raised by the member of Tanjung Batu was only the tip of the iceberg.
"We have been talking about smart schools, but in Sabah many schools don't even have basic facilities."
Earlier, during the question-and-answer session, Masidi said the unprecedented increase in the prices of building materials, such as cement and steel, had delayed the construction of new schools in the state.
He said the contractors had asked for the contract price to be reviewed upward to enable them to complete the construction.
At the Sabah Assembly: Sabah schools lack funds 'for even basic facilities'
Datuk Seri Musa Aman (right) with Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan (second from left) and Datuk Yahya Hussin before his speech at the assembly yesterday.
MANY schools in Sabah are short of tables and chairs, forcing students to sit on the floor during classes.
The problem was attributed to insufficient funds for the maintenance and buying of additional tables and chairs from the Education Ministry.
State Education Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said a sum of RM21.4 million was required to address the problem but the Education Ministry only approved RM2.2 million.
"This (allocation given by the Education Ministry) is unacceptable," he said, adding that Sabah had yet to receive the RM2.2 million approved for the state.
He apologised for not being able to solve the many problems and issues raised by members of the House, saying that he was "powerless".
"Although I am the minister in charge of education in Sabah, there is nothing much I can do because the approval and provision of funds for schools is not within my power."
Sabah has a total of 1,064 government primary schools and 207 secondary schools, but Masidi did not specify how many of the schools did not have sufficient tables and chairs.
Masidi said all he could do was to continue writing to the Education Ministry about the problem.
On Monday, Datuk Hamisah Samat (Umno-Tanjung Batu) had told the house that pupils of SK Kalabakan in her constituency had to sit on the floor during classes due to lack of tables and chairs.
Winding-up for his ministry, Masidi said the problem raised by the member of Tanjung Batu was only the tip of the iceberg.
"We have been talking about smart schools, but in Sabah many schools don't even have basic facilities."
Earlier, during the question-and-answer session, Masidi said the unprecedented increase in the prices of building materials, such as cement and steel, had delayed the construction of new schools in the state.
He said the contractors had asked for the contract price to be reviewed upward to enable them to complete the construction.
May 06, 2008
83,000 dropouts in three years
Thursday May 1, 2008
83,000 dropouts in three years
SOME 83,000 students dropped out from primary and secondary schools in the past three years and the Government wants to stop this.
“Although this figure represents a small 2% of the total five million students that we have, 83,000 is still quite a number and we want to further reduce the number,” Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told reporters yesterday.
He added that several measures would be taken to reduce the dropout rate including asking the Education Ministry to set up vocational schools catering for younger students.
“This will give more students who are not academically-inclined to continue their education in vocational institutes,” said Najib after chairing the National Training Council meeting at the Parliament.
He added that training more skilled workers would also complement the country's needs, including the ability to supply more workers to small- and medium-scale industries (SMIs).
The Government has decided to provide a RM300 monthly allowance to each apprentice undergoing the training scheme, which was meant to meet the demand for SMI workers.
The meeting, said Najib, also made projections for future needs for workers in industries aiding the progress of the economy, such as the services sector.
With the projections, the Government would take the necessary steps to provide the right kind of skills training to meet industry needs.
83,000 dropouts in three years
SOME 83,000 students dropped out from primary and secondary schools in the past three years and the Government wants to stop this.
“Although this figure represents a small 2% of the total five million students that we have, 83,000 is still quite a number and we want to further reduce the number,” Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told reporters yesterday.
He added that several measures would be taken to reduce the dropout rate including asking the Education Ministry to set up vocational schools catering for younger students.
“This will give more students who are not academically-inclined to continue their education in vocational institutes,” said Najib after chairing the National Training Council meeting at the Parliament.
He added that training more skilled workers would also complement the country's needs, including the ability to supply more workers to small- and medium-scale industries (SMIs).
The Government has decided to provide a RM300 monthly allowance to each apprentice undergoing the training scheme, which was meant to meet the demand for SMI workers.
The meeting, said Najib, also made projections for future needs for workers in industries aiding the progress of the economy, such as the services sector.
With the projections, the Government would take the necessary steps to provide the right kind of skills training to meet industry needs.
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