SPAOH – Education remains the most effective tool in breaking the cycle of poverty and laying the foundation for a brighter future, particularly for rural communities in Spaoh, according to Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Bukit Saban Assemblyman, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Speaking at the 2024 SPM & STPM Thanksgiving Ceremony held at Dewan Sinaran, SMK Spaoh, Uggah highlighted the critical role of collective efforts from the government, educators, parents, and the community in shaping the success of rural students.
“I want to thank all the teachers for their incredible dedication. The success of these students is the result of collective effort and should serve as a motivation to the future generation,” he said.
He urged parents to remain engaged in their children’s educational journey and to maintain close collaboration with schools to ensure sustained academic achievement.
Uggah reaffirmed the Sarawak Government’s strong commitment under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg to strengthen education as a core strategy in poverty eradication. A key initiative includes offering free education at Sarawak-owned universities by 2026, especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
With the state’s rapid economic development, Uggah said there would be increasing demand for skilled workers. He expressed hope that Sarawakian youth will seize the opportunity to equip themselves with quality education to secure future employment.
During the event, several contributions were announced to support educational development in the area. Uggah pledged RM30,000 to the SMK Spaoh Education Fund, while Betong Member of Parliament, Dato Dr Richard Rapu, contributed RM10,000. Additionally, Dr Rapu allocated RM70,000 for the installation of LED screens at SMK Spaoh.
In further support of student excellence, Uggah also approved special incentives for high-performing SPM and STPM students and donated RM5,000 for the purchase of a public address (siaraya) system for Dewan Sinaran.
The initiatives underscore the government’s continuous investment in empowering rural students through quality education, thereby unlocking opportunities for long-term socioeconomic upliftment.
