Sagah: Knowing 3Rs no longer enough for rural kids

Borneo Post

17-07-2025

Sagah (seated centre) joins guests and participants for a photo call during the STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi 2025 programme at SMK Long Lama.
KUCHING (July 18): Sarawak's rural communities must embrace Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as the foundation of the state's future, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
In his keynote speech at the STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi 2025 programme held at SMK Long Lama, Baram yesterday, the State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development said it is no longer acceptable to say that the 3Rs—reading, writing, and arithmetic—are enough for rural children.
'Our future depends on our ability to master science, technology, and digital knowledge. You too can excel in coding and STEM regardless of your location,' he was quoted as saying in a press release issued by Sarawak Skills.
More than 1,000 students from rural schools across Baram gathered at SMK Long Lama for the programme, marking the largest turnout of the statewide STEM Catalyst tour to date.
Held in conjunction with SMK Long Lama's Diamond Jubilee celebration, yesterday's event marked the 17th stop of the ongoing tour, spanning 18 districts from April till this month.
The initiative is jointly organised by the Ministry for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, University of Technology Sarawak, and Sarawak Skills.
The tour has already surpassed its initial target of reaching 130 schools, engaging over 160 rural schools and more than 6,000 students to date.
In Baram, students from remote areas including SK Long Lapok travelled to SMK Long Lama to take part in the event, which featured interactive learning experiences.
Among the hands-on activities were robotics, drone racing, hydraulic systems, hydrogen fuel experiments, AI-controlled robotic arms, and coding modules promoted by Persatuan Kebajikan Rolf Schnyder.
A team of 20 trained STEM communicators guided students through the exhibits, explaining the science behind each activity in an engaging and accessible manner.
Many students reportedly asked for longer sessions, and several teachers expressed interest in acquiring the exhibits for continued use at their schools.
'We're thrilled to see that some teachers even purchased exhibits on the spot. This kind of grassroots enthusiasm is exactly what we hoped to spark,' said Sagah.
He also highlighted state initiatives aimed at removing barriers to STEM education, including next year's Free Tertiary Education Scheme which will allow students to pursue STEM degrees at state-owned institutions with full tuition waivers.
'Additionally, those from low-income households are eligible to receive an annual RM15,000 stipend. This is your chance to step into the world of STEM and help shape a smarter, stronger Sarawak,' he added.
Sagah also praised the efforts of Sarawak Skills in bringing STEM programmes to remote areas like Long Lama, calling their outreach crucial in bridging the digital divide and nurturing future-ready talent across Sarawak.
He acknowledged the strong collaboration with the Sarawak Education Department and Ministry of Education (MoE), and expressed hope for continued partnerships to support the state's goal of achieving 60 per cent STEM enrolment by 2030.
Currently, Sarawak's STEM enrolment rate stands at 45.7 per cent.
'Today, we celebrate SMK Long Lama as a beacon of education. Tomorrow, let's celebrate it as the bastion of STEM innovation in Baram,' he said.
Other STEM initiatives under the ministry include the Hornbill Foundation's 'No Kid Left Behind' programme, which delivers online STEM lessons to 11 rural secondary schools via Starlink connectivity; a collaboration with Unicef under the 'Future Skills for All' programme to train students and teachers in coding; and the SRDC BrightSparx Grant Programme, which funds student innovation projects, with the best idea receiving the Premier's BrightSparx Innovation Award.
Also present at the event were Sagah's deputy minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Gerawat Gala, Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau, and Sarawak Skills chief strategy officer Mohamad Isham Fauzi. . STEM lead Roland Sagah SMK Long Lama