SIBU: The implementation of the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) could help families save up to RM200,000 in education expenses over four years of study, easing the financial burden on parents and reducing the need for graduates to shoulder education loan debts.

Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee said before the implementation of FTES, tuition fees for engineering courses at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Swinburne Sarawak) could reach between RM30,000 and RM35,000 annually.

"Imagine, with this free tertiary education policy, the government helps cover these costs, allowing families to save about RM200,000 over four years," he said.

He spoke at the opening and closing ceremony of the Nangka Constituency Professionalism Enhancement Programme for Village and Community Institutions 2026 at a hotel here on Friday.

According to him, tuition fees alone could amount to RM100,000 to RM120,000 over four years, while living expenses, including accommodation and food, are estimated at around RM15,000 annually, or RM60,000 throughout the study period.

Elaborating further, Datuk Dr Annuar said FTES is aimed not only at easing the financial burden on families but also at ensuring Sarawakian students can complete their studies without being saddled with education loan debts.

He said the free tertiary education policy also seeks to expand access to education for all Sarawakians regardless of their ethnic background.

Meanwhile, he revealed that statistics from the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) showed an increase in Bumiputera student enrolment, particularly from rural areas, from 10 per cent to 30 per cent during the implementation of a 50 per cent tuition fee subsidy, before rising further to the current 48 per cent.

The development reflects growing Bumiputera student participation at UTS following the implementation of the tuition fee assistance initiatives. -UKASnews