
Sarawak allocates RM20mil to provide free tuition to weak SPM students
A core element of the Sarawak Enhancement Education Programme (SEEP) is the provision of free tuition to students, specifically targeting those students who have not passed their school-based examinations.
State Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah told the state assembly today the initiative was a testament to Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg's on-going commitment to strengthening education in Sarawak.
He said the programme focused on Form 3 students, offering tuition in core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, and History.
For upper secondary students, he said the programme extends to include tuition for all pure science subjects.
"The overarching objective is to enhance students' readiness for STEM-related courses at tertiary level and to prepare them for future careers within STEM fields," he told the state legislative when winding up debates on his ministry.
"Beyond free tuition, SEEP encompasses a range of supplementary activities.
"These include the development of comprehensive learning modules for both teachers and students, the creation of a dedicated SEEP Management System, and the organisation of various webinars and workshops.
"Furthermore, the programme facilitates crucial engagement sessions with teachers and parents."
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Space, galaxies, constellations — what once felt distant now became deeply personal. "It just made sense," she says. "I was painting what I had always loved. The night sky became my canvas." She painted and painted, allowing herself to dream the same dreams she once had as a child. Over time, that sense of wonder began to spill into every part of her life. "How was I going to share what I knew? How could I show people the wonders of what's out there — the universe?" she muses. "I'm not a scientist. I don't work in a space agency. But I have art. And through that, I found my way of telling the story of the stars." Whether she was teaching astronomy to her students, speaking about the stars, or advocating for the preservation of dark skies, it all became part of the same passion — an enduring love for the cosmos and the stories it holds. Syahirah knows astronomical art is a niche, often overshadowed by the science of space. "You hear about astronauts and engineers, but rarely space artists," she says. "Yet for centuries, artists helped people visualise the cosmos. Art makes space accessible, sparks curiosity, and gives form to what science can't yet explain." Leaning forward, eyes sparkling, she tells me that while Galileo Galilei is primarily known for his groundbreaking work in astronomy and physics, he also had a strong artistic background. He applied his understanding of light, perspective and observation — skills honed through art — to his scientific work. "How did the scientists back then observe and record what they saw through their telescopes?" she asks. "They sketched. They painted. They used art to communicate what they discovered." For Syahirah, this fusion of disciplines is not new, but a return to how science and art once walked hand in hand. "Not many people remember the fourth man on the Moon," she shares. "Alan Bean. He wasn't just an astronaut. He became an artist after returning from space. He used crushed moon dust in his paintings to capture what he saw and felt. That really spoke to me. It showed that even someone who had walked on the Moon chose art to express something science alone couldn't explain." For Syahirah, it was a powerful reminder that imagination and emotion have a place in the cosmos too — and she has made it her life's mission to prove just that. From exhibitions to workshops and public talks, Syahirah has found creative ways to share her passion. She has even spoken to physics students at Universiti Malaya about bridging the gap between science and art through astronomy. A dedicated self-learner, she constantly reads and deepens her knowledge, using it as a teaching tool in the classroom. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. For her innovative approach to teaching astronomy, Syahirah received two innovation awards from the Johor Education Department. Beyond the classroom, she and her peers regularly organise live astronomical observation events across Malaysia and work to establish 'dark sky' areas — safe, light pollution-free zones where people can experience the wonder of the night sky in its full glory. For a young girl who once grappled with depression and still navigates the ebb and flow of her emotions, Syahirah has found something that grounds her — and brings her joy. "To any young girl who's struggled with mental health," she advises, adding: "follow your heart. Pursue your passion. It can be the light that carries you through the dark." For that 7-year-old girl who once sat beneath the stars in Kampung Sungai Sok, the universe called — and she listened. In the years that followed, even through the shadows of depression, she never stopped looking up. Now, with brush in hand and galaxies in mind, she reminds others that it's often in our darkest moments that we begin to see the stars.