by David E.
KENINGAU: 17 October 2026 — There are still children in Sabah’s rural interior learning in deprived conditions, yet they are equally entitled to quality education like students in major cities.
Geography and infrastructure constraints should not be barriers preventing children in rural and interior areas from enjoying quality education and opportunities on par with students in major cities.
Keningau Member of Parliament and Tambunan assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan said education development in Sabah, particularly in interior districts such as Tambunan, needs due attention from the Federal Government to narrow the gap in educational facilities between urban and rural areas.
He stressed this in his speech at the 2026 School Management Awards (MAPenS) Ceremony, 2025 Excellent Service Awards (APC) and 2026 Jasamu Dikenang Ceremony organised by the Tambunan District Education Office at Hotel Perkasa, Keningau.
He said there are still schools in interior areas facing various constraints, including infrastructure facilities, road access, internet connectivity and educational amenities that have yet to reach the appropriate standard.
“Tambunan children deserve equal access to quality education as children in major cities, whether in Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur or anywhere else in the country.
“Education is the right of every Malaysian child, not a privilege enjoyed only by those living in more developed areas,” he stressed.
Kitingan said educational excellence cannot depend solely on the sacrifices of teachers and school administrators without support in basic facilities, fair policies, effective planning and adequate development allocations.
Touching on Budget 2027, which announced an allocation of RM18.7 billion for Sabah, he stressed that the figure represents the total management expenditure, including salaries of Federal Government staff and administrative costs, not the actual development allocation.
Compared with revenue collection from Sabah estimated at about RM50 billion a year, he opined that the figure announced by the Prime Minister does not reflect a proper return of revenue based on financial rights under the framework of the formation of Malaysia.
He said Sabah should receive about RM20 billion annually, equivalent to the 40 per cent claim of Sabah’s financial rights that continues to be pursued under the Federal Constitution.
In an effort to support educational excellence in Tambunan, Kitingan announced a special incentive of RM5,000 for secondary schools achieving excellence in the 2025 SPM results in the district.
He also emphasised the importance of producing a younger generation that is not only academically excellent but also possesses identity, discipline, integrity and creativity to face technological change.
“Our children must be able to master future technology without losing their identity and ancestral heritage,” he said.
Kitingan also presented a financial contribution of RM15,000 to cover the needs of organising the ceremony, while Co-opbank Pertama contributed RM3,000 for the same purpose.
– TV Sabah
