BETONG: The Layar Education Development Committee (LEDC) in collaboration with SMK St Augustine Betong organised an Education Townhall session on August 30.

The townhall session attracted over 600 participants from school representatives, local community members, village heads, and government agencies in the Betong area, with the theme “Empowering the Next Generation of Sarawakians to Become Future-Ready: Fostering Excellence in STEM Education and Beyond”.

During the townhall session, 426 Form 4 students from four secondary schools in Betong received HONOR tablets, donated by Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu through the Layar Constituency Education Development Committee, with the devices being accepted by the principals and PIBG of SMK Ulu Layar, SMK Datuk Patinggi Kedit, MRSM Betong, and SMK St Augustine Betong.

A cheque presentation under the ‘2024 Mission School Fund Assistance in Sarawak’ for the N.36 Layar constituency also took place, with RM740,000 being distributed among SK St Peter & St Paul, Betong (RM200,000), SK St Bartholomew, Betong (RM70,000), SK St Augustine, Betong (RM70,000), SK St Mark, Betong (RM100,000), and SMK St Augustine, Betong (RM300,000).

Following the townhall session, the panelists shared insights on topics such as the importance of education and strategic thinking starting at home, the direction of education in Betong and Layar, the role of LEDC in advancing education, and how education can break the cycle of poverty.

They also addressed the need to empower the next generation to be future-ready, the importance of fostering excellence in STEM education, financial aid opportunities, free education prospects in Sarawak by 2026, challenges in STEM education, career opportunities in STEM, and the role of TVET in preparing for technical careers, especially in the oil and gas industry.

Further discussion included understanding the education ecosystem, the complementary roles of different stakeholders, and insights into the Sarawak Foundation International School.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapa’ee as panelists and others. -UKASnews