KUCHING: Efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty is a big agenda requiring detailed study from various aspects to reach an effective solution.
In Sarawak, besides various efforts to lift the poor above the poverty line, the state government is also focused on empowering children, especially in terms of their education.
Like the adage 'starting them young', coupled with the belief that education is a vital key to social mobility, the Sarawak government has allocated RM2.5 million this year to implement subsidies for childcare services and kindergarten fees.
According to Sarawak Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, the measure is aimed to help reduce the financial burden of parents with low incomes.
"This initiative will benefit around 2,500 children in Sarawak," she said during the Sarawak state assembly sitting here on May 23.
Fatimah said the Sarawak state government has been offering special annual grants to help registered early children education institution operators to provide quality services, guidance and education since 2019 and as of April this year, RM57.5 million has been provided through these grants and benefited 290,621 children.
Besides its focus on early education, Sarawak has also introduced the Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS) by providing RM1,000 in the form of a trust fund to every Sarawak-born child since 2019.
The EFS is aimed at helping Sarawak children to be able to afford furthering their education, start a career or act as initial funds to start a small business.
"Till May this year, the government has spent RM91.16 million with 91,163 children benefitting," Fatimah said.
The state is also using the services of professional researchers to conduct more accurate and objective research on poverty in the state.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said on April 29 that a study on the level of poverty in the state would not only be based on mere statistics but involved deep research as the current poverty status used for the state also involved those owning assets like land. – Bernama