KUCHING: The Sarawak Government has allocated RM5 million annually to build smart classrooms in state aided-Chinese primary schools in the region.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian said that 369 classrooms in Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) will benefit from the first phase of the allocation.

“In the first phase, the number of SJKC classrooms in Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Serian divisions that will be upgraded to smart classrooms is 166 classrooms, Sri Aman and Betong divisions 42 classrooms, Sibu, Mukah and Kapit involving 68 classrooms.

“In addition, Bintulu division will involve 32 classrooms, Miri and Limbang involving 38 classrooms and Sarikei involving 23 classrooms,” he explained.

He said this at a press conference of the Sarawak Chinese School Advisory Committee here, on Wednesday.

It is understood that the Sarawak Chinese School Advisory Committee will determine the installation of Smart Televisions (Smart TVs), either 75 inches or 86 inches in size based on the number of students in the classrooms involved.

The Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government explained that this effort is aimed at stimulating students’ interest in learning through more sophisticated and systematic technology and innovation.

In this regard, he explained that the Sarawak Chinese School Advisory Committee will consider using part of the funds in the second phase, for the purchase of science equipment such as robotics sets, 3D printers and drones to foster primary school students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

“This exposure must be given at the primary school level, because if it goes well in primary school, then they can continue to secondary school and not wait until then to learn everything at once.

“With that, we can continue to produce engineers and technological talents for the development of Sarawak,” he added.

The second phase early next year will continue with the guarantee of more classrooms being upgraded to smart classrooms at Sarawak Government-aided Chinese primary schools. -UKASnews