KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Government fully supports the aspirations for implementing the Malaysia Education Plan (RPM) 2026 – 2035, with emphasis on digital education and infrastructure, teachers’ well-being, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the State Government also pays attention to aspects of educational equity, inclusive rural education, the inculcation of local values and identity and the empowerment of school leadership.
He said that through close synergy between the State and Federal governments, critical issues such as dilapidated schools and teacher shortages in Sabah’s rural areas are expected to be comprehensively addressed within the 10-year plan.
“The State government is also working closely with the Federal government to realize the agenda of empowering and enhancing excellence and the quality of education in this state, including further improving and upgrading educational facilities and infrastructure.
“The presence of senior officers from the Ministry of Education Malaysia today shows strong cooperation between the state and the federal government, especially as the initial phase of RPM 2026–2035 is being rolled out,” he said.
The Chief Minister said this when officiating the Education Convention and the 4th General Assembly of the Malaysian Headmasters Association (PGBM), Sabah Branch at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here on Sunday.
His speech was delivered by the State Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk James Ratib.
Hajiji said education continues to be a key agenda of the State government through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan, even though education falls under the responsibility of the Federal Government.
He said from 2021 to 2025, a total of 14 educational assistance initiatives were introduced by the State government, and all these initiatives are being continued this year to help reduce the burden on schools and ensure that students in Sabah are not left behind in mainstream education.
“Among the educational assistance provided are the Bantuan Ihsan Sekolah Sabah (BISBAH), Bantuan Ihsan Komputer (BAIK), Bantuan Tunai Pendaftaran IPT (BUDI),Bantuan Aktiviti Guru dan Ibu Bapa Sabah (BAGUS), Bantuan Khas Tunai Peperiksaan (BAKTI), and program Bantuan Penyelenggaraan Kecil Sekolah (BALKIS).
“Also provided are the Program Bantuan Khas Pendidikan ( (BANTU), Anugerah Khas Kecemerlangan Pelajar (AKSA), and Sumbangan Kegiatan Sekolah Sabah (SUKSES), in addition to educational funding such as scholarships, study grants, study loans and zakat assistance,” he added.
The Chief Minister said headmasters play an important role as the main leaders of schools and serve as backbone in shaping the quality of education and the future of the younger generation in the state.
He said the challenges in today’s education landscape require school leaders not only to be efficient in administrators, but also to possess high empathy towards members of the school community and be able to lead change.
“Therefore, I hope this conference will serve as the best platform to chart the future, direction, assess achievements, and discuss strategies to support the national education agenda.
“I also hope that PGBM Sabah will continue to be a strong platform for voicing the aspirations of headmasters in upholding the teaching profession,” he said.-pr/BNN
