KOTA KINABALU: More than RM848mil has been allocated to educational assistance over the past four years, demonstrating Sabah’s commitment to ensure every Sabahan child has access to quality and equitable education, says the Chief Minister.

Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the state’s efforts were part of the Sabah Maju Jaya development agenda.

“The state government’s commitment to human capital development is very clear. We believe that every Sabahan child deserves access to quality and equal education,” he said at the 29th Education Convention and 3rd Delegates General Assembly of the Malaysian Headmasters Association on Wednesday.

In the speech, Hajiji said that between 2021 and 2024, 14 new education initiatives have been introduced, resulting from an allocation of RM164.14mil and benefiting over 210,000 students in Sabah.

Among the initiatives are the cash assistance scheme for higher learning institute enrolment dubbed BudiI, GRS-Subfly or the Graduan Rindu Sabah programme, and Sentosa, a contribution scheme for students pursuing higher education locally.

“These programmes reflect the state government’s commitment to building an inclusive, progressive, and sustainable education system,” he said.

Hajiji also stressed the vital role of headmasters in adapting to current education challenges, especially in the era of digital transformation.

He called on school leaders to lead with innovation and resilience, stating that school performance often hinges on the strength of its leadership.

“The quality of a school depends greatly on the headmaster’s leadership, both in administration and in guiding educators. They are the pillars of our education system,” he said.

The convention, he added, serves as an important platform to exchange ideas, strategies, and experiences to drive excellence at the school level.

“I believe that through collaboration and continuous learning, we can further strengthen school leadership and empower our young generation to be excellent, distinguished, and outstanding,” said Hajiji.