ALOR GAJAH: The Melaka state government has allocated more than RM196 million for the education sector in the state over the past three years, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
He said it was a form of ‘investment’ to ensure Melaka continued to progress over the next 10 to 20 years, and the allocation was channelled to implement various educational initiatives that would benefit more than 140,000 children in Melaka.
“The state government is implementing free tuition and providing school preparation assistance to the B40 group. The state government is allocating another RM15 million through the Melaka Sayang Rakyat (MeSRa) Education Program, the Melaka State Education Trust Fund (TAPEM),
“We are also organising sports competitions which also involve large allocations, specifically for the children of the Masjid Tanah Parliament,” he said when speaking at the Student Excellence Motivation Programme and the Presentation of School Aid Donations by the MARA Education Foundation at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sultan Alauddin, Masjid Tanah, here today.
Also present were state Exco member for Public Works, Infrastructure, Public Facilities and Transport Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer and Chairman of the MARA Education Foundation Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said.
At the event, the MARA Education Foundation donated cash totaling RM10,000 to 100 students from the asnaf and B40 groups.
He said that as a result of concerted efforts by the Melaka State Education Department (JPN) and school authorities, the achievements in public examinations such as the KAFA Class Assessment Test (UPKK), Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM), Malaysian Certificate of Higher Education (STPM) and Malaysian Certificate of Higher Education (STAM) in Melaka continued to show a commendable increase from year to year.
Meanwhile, when met by reporters, Ab Rauf, who is also the chairman of the state UMNO Liaison Body, said that Melaka UMNO was ready to open the door to cooperation with any party to face the Melaka State Election (PRN) which is expected to be held this year.
Ab Rauf, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) Melaka chairman, said however, the collaboration must benefit the parties involved.
— BERNAMA