RM 30.9 MIL FOR SCHOOLS AND NGOS

By : M.IZHAM HASHIM

GRANTS .....Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman (fourth right), together with Council of Churches Malaysia President Bishop Datuk Dr Thomas Tsen (third right), and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai (second right) at the presentation of grants ceremony at the State Assembly Building, Friday.

THE SABAH government demonstrates its support for schools and non-Muslim religious bodies with generous financial allocations this year.

"The allocations amount to RM30.9 million to be distributed to 140 non-Muslim religious organizations including places of worship, and 266 schools comprising Chinese independent schools and mission schools,” Chief Minister, Datuk Musa Haji Aman said during the presentation of grants ceremony at the State Legislative Assembly building recently.

A total of RM18.029 will be distributed to churches, temples and other non-Muslim places of worship while RM12.965 million will be given to schools.

The Chief Minister revealed that RM9.215 million is distributed to schools in the West Coast, Kudat and Interior regions, and RM3.75 million for those located in Sandakan and Tawau.

“Education is essential for growth, therefore the government will continue to support schools to develop quality human capital that can help drive national development,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the assistance given is to enable schools to carry out much needed repairs and maintenance to make classrooms to improve the teaching and learning at school.

“The government will continue to help schools and religious institutions in the future, "he said

“Along with Islamic organizations, I believe solid religious upbringing is central in building a progressive and harmonious society and I hope all religious bodies will continue to work together and use the fund to encourage spiritual development of their followers,” he said. (Insight Sabah)