Rural Students from B40 Families Should Be Supported for Higher Education Scholarships – Ewon

18 November 2024

KOTA KINABALU: Rural students from B40 families pursuing higher education should be assisted to obtain scholarships, stated Datuk Ewon Benedick, Kadamaian State Assemblyman.

He emphasised that education is a platform that can transform the future of families.

"As an alumnus of the Sabah State Government Scholarship (BKNS), I hope that the provision of scholarships is not solely based on meritocracy but also adopts a specific handicap approach for rural students who lack access to the educational facilities enjoyed by urban students.

"This handicap approach should be extended to B40 family students, especially those from families listed in the e-Kasih database or recipients of other welfare assistance, so that their children can pursue higher education," he said.

He made these remarks while delivering a speech during the debate on the Sabah State Budget 2025 in the State Legislative Assembly today.

Ewon stated that the allocation of RM497.54 million for human capital development and information technology clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Sabah government, led by the Sulaman State Assemblyman to the educational agenda for the people of Sabah.

"The significant increase in the allocation for the Scholarship, Financial Assistance, and State Student Aid Programme to RM127 million will undoubtedly help more students in need," he said.

Ewon, who is also the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDC), also proposed that the Sabah government extend scholarship provisions to Sabah youth pursuing studies at the Malaysian Entrepreneurship and Cooperative University (UKKM), a private university owned by the Malaysian Cooperative Institute (IKMA), an agency under MEDC.