SUNGAI ASAP – In a bid to widen access to high-impact education in rural communities, the Sarawak Badan Amal Tenaga Isteri‑Isteri (SABATI), in collaboration with Petroleum Sarawak (PETROS), organised a STEM Education Carnival at Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu Keling on Sunday.
The event, officiated by Murum State Assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon, showcased hands‑on learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for primary school students from remote areas. Kennedy highlighted the importance of such initiatives in nurturing human capital among young people who seldom encounter technology-based activities in their daily lives.
“Many of our students have never touched robotic components nor seen digital‑technology demonstrations up close. Not because they lack ability, but because such opportunities have not reached them,” he remarked, stressing that this effort constitutes a long-term investment in the region’s youth.
Kennedy pledged continued backing for similar outreach programmes as crucial steps in building STEM literacy and reinforcing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in rural areas. He underscored that the collaboration between community organisations and the corporate sector—like SABATI and PETROS—demonstrates that quality education can be delivered anywhere with shared commitment and resolve.
The carnival forms part of the broader SABATI‑PETROS Rural Education Programme (PPLBS‑P), which has reached thousands of students across 22 constituencies in Sarawak. Previous events under this initiative have included STEM camps and academic seminars in regions such as Mulu, Sebuyau, and Kapit, targeting both primary and secondary schools and emphasising creative, experiential learning in STEM.
