Anwar Wants SMK Banggi To Be Model Of Rural Education Excellence

KUDAT, May 9 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the performance of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Banggi to be improved so that the school on the remote island can become a model of rural education excellence as well as a human capital development centre.

He said children on Pulau Banggi, despite living in one of the most remote areas, are still capable of success if education is given serious attention.

He said quality education can not only change the lives of students from poor families, but also enable them to contribute to their families and local communities.

“Pulau Banggi is among the most remote island regions across Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

“We must give it attention, and I urge parents to do so because children from the poorest families, from the most remote island, if education is prioritised, they can rise through the quality of training and education they receive and contribute to their families and society,” he said.

He said this when speaking at the Prime Minister’s Engagement Session with the local community of Pulau Banggi here today.

Also present were Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan.

Also in attendance were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and Banggi state assemblyman Datuk Mohammad Mohamarin.

Anwar said his visit to SMK Banggi brought back memories of 1994 when he, as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, laid the foundation stone for the school.

He said the school now stands proudly, has produced trained and educated students, and also offers Form Six or pre-university education on Pulau Banggi.

The Prime Minister also asked the school principal, District Education Office, Sabah Education Department director and the Parent-Teacher Association to submit a report within two weeks on additional measures to improve the school’s performance.

Anwar said the government is ready to consider additional needs for SMK Banggi, but the school must also set clear targets to ensure student performance improves year on year.

Anwar reminded leaders and public officials to use their positions to serve the people, not pursue personal interests.

He said positions of responsibility are a trust and a major duty, not privileges for personal gain or wealth accumulation.

“This country, this state, becomes weak or collapses when positions are used to grab benefits. There is wealth, but it is never enough, taken for themselves.

“We will carry this trust to safeguard the interests of the state and the people, including the poorest and most vulnerable,” he said.

-- BERNAMA