Govt ensures poor students not deprived of education

18th May, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: The Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera (YPPB) or Bumiputera Education Leaders Foundation has collectedRM158 million from corporate companies and individuals to help students from poor families pursue higher education. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said scholarships awarded by the foundation are based on the types of course costing between RM100,000 to RM300,000 for the entire study duration.YPPB formed in November last year has a programme called “Peneraju Tunas Potensi” or Leaders of Budding Potential that offers students with good academic results but cannot afford to pursue higher education, the financial assistance to do so.

Nor Mohamed said the government was serious in making sure that poverty did not become an obstacle for children of poor families to gain tertiary education.“Many students from poor families get good results like 5As, 6As and 7As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia exams even though they have no tuition classes, internet access or proper libraries.“We believe that with more conducive surroundings and adequate financial assistance, they have the potential to achieve greater things,” he said.He was speaking at a ceremony to hand over Offer Letters of Scholarship to recipients under the “Peneraju Tunas Potensi” programme at the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu here yesterday.A total of 16 students from the rural parts of Sabah were among 225 across the country who were selected.The programme offers scholarships to SPM and STPM students as of this year.According to Nor Mohamed, some 8,000 had applied for the scholarship and finally 225 were chosen.The scholarship will allow the recipients to pursue their studies at either local or foreign institutions of higher learning.He believes the programme will encourage and inspire other bumiputera students to work harder in their studies.“Education is the stepping stone towards better socio-economic standards, poverty eradication and a better future for the nation,” he said.

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