'20pc of the budget for education needs'
By Za'im Zaini

For fiscal year 2008/09, the government has allocated B$1.1 billion for the collective needs of education, human resource development and capacity-building.

"This figure represents approximately 20 per cent of the total annual government budget - an increase of over 11 per cent from the allocation in 2007/08," said the Minister of Finance II, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Ibrahim, in his speech as the guest of honour, who launched the first Private Secondary Schools' English Language oratory competition yesterday at the Yayasan Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Secondary School.

"The current allocation does not include the B$107 million spelled out in the National Development Plan 2007-2012, which among others, are meant for the proposed construction of a number of new schools," he added.

"A special fund, known as the Human Resources Fund, amounting to B$250 million and to be utilised over the next five years, was established with the sole objective of funding our students to further their studies at top universities worldwide.

"In addition, His Majesty's Government has also introduced several additional scholarship schemes, one of which is the Administration Service Scholarship, to strengthen the existing scholarship programmes as a mechanism to continually produce human resources of the highest calibre.

"Everyone has an important role in achieving the goals stated in the National Vision 2035, of nurturing a country of educated, highly skilled and accomplished people.

"Active involvement of every stakeholder is essential, in particular, from parents and the community at large. The initiative of improving the level of proficiency of the English language among our students should never be seen as a small role in how it can contribute to the national vision.

"Competition such as this can help foster closer collaboration and enhance networking opportunities among schools and students alike.

"As the most widely spoken language globally, the English language continues to be seen as the most accepted language for business, commerce and science.

"Mastery of the language could certainly help individual, not only in academic, but more importantly, in their daily businesses, nonetheless without forgetting the role and position of the national language, Bahasa Melayu.

"It is hoped that students would not only acquire knowledge, but also create new ones and share with others.

"To enable this process, the acquisition of good oratory skills can help provide the students with a strong foundation towards their ability to convey and convince others, regarding any subject matter," he said.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin