Kota Kinabalu: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government has not only redefined education policy in the State but also placed youth development at the centre of its transformation agenda, introducing record allocations, new institutions and participatory platforms to empower the next generation of Sabahans.
Since 2021, the State Government has channelled RM1.33 billion into educational development – the largest such investment in Sabah’s history. Of this, RM848.26 million has been spent on various educational assistance programmes, while RM485 million is dedicated to human capital development.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the allocations reflect a strategic commitment to long-term capacity-building.
“Academic excellence is not just an individual success but a crucial asset for the country. The State Government is committed to ensuring that no child in Sabah is left behind in accessing quality education,” he said.
From 2021 to 2025, 16 new initiatives have benefited about 301,000 students and individuals, as well as numerous schools, associations and community organisations Statewide – a scale unmatched by any previous Sabah administration.
These initiatives form part of the broader Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan to empower Sabahans through education, skills and innovation.
Among the State’s flagship programmes is the Biasiswa Kerajaan Negeri Sabah (BKNS), which continues to open doors for Sabah-born students studying locally and abroad.
The allocation for BKNS has increased yearly – from RM50 million in 2020 to RM136 million in 2024 – benefitting 13,550 students to date.
Another key measure is the Bantuan Tunai Pendaftaran IPT (Budi), a one-off cash assistance for new students pursuing higher education within or outside Malaysia.
Under this programme, degree students receive RM2,000 while diploma, foundation and matriculation students receive RM1,500 – benefitting 22,245 students.
The Bantuan Tunai Khas Peperiksaan (Bakti) provides RM200 each to students sitting for major public examinations such as SPM, STPM and STAM. This initiative has assisted 150,005 students across the State.
To bridge digital inequalities, the Bantuan Ihsan Komputer (Baik) targets Sabah-born higher education students from hardcore poor families who cannot afford computers for learning purposes. So far, 12,300 students have received this support.
In fostering stronger engagement between schools, teachers and parents, the Bantuan Aktiviti Guru dan Ibu Bapa Sabah (Bagus) channels RM2,000 per Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) to support student and school activities – benefitting 4,174 PIBGs Statewide.
The Bantuan Ihsan Sekolah Sabah (Bisbah) ensures the smooth running of teaching and learning activities through the provision of essential equipment and supplies to 4,602 schools.
Complementing this, the Bantuan Penyelenggaraan Kecil Sekolah (Baiks) provides allocations of up to RM50,000 per project for school maintenance, with 66 projects already implemented.
Another initiative, the Bantuan Penyelenggaraan Kecil Sekolah (Balkis), provides funds for minor repairs and maintenance in schools Statewide, including those affected by floods. A total of 320 schools have benefited from this programme.
The State Government also launched the Bantuan Ihsan Tabungan Negeri Sabah (Bistari) – an innovative initiative that encourages early educational savings. Under this programme, each baby born to Malaysian parents of Sabah origin receives an SSPN savings account worth RM100. So far, 32,120 babies have benefited.
Recognising excellence, the Anugerah Kecemerlangan Pendidikan Sabah (Aksa) honours high-achieving students who bring pride to the State at national and international levels. To date, 66 students have received this prestigious award.
The Sekretariat Mahasiswa Sabah Malaysia (Semesta) serves as a platform for Sabah students studying across the country to express ideas and provide feedback on educational advancement. A total of 33 student associations are currently active under Semesta.
Further support is channelled through the Bantuan Khas Program Pendidikan (Bantu), which funds educational programmes at schools, institutions and community levels – involving 321 school programmes throughout Sabah.
To ease travel costs, the Bantuan Subsidi Tiket Penerbangan Pelajar Sabah (GRS–SubFly) provides RM600 in flight subsidies directly to the accounts of students studying in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Labuan. A total of 37,962 recipients have benefited.
For students studying within the State, the Sumbangan Mahasiswa IPT Dalam Sabah (Sentosa) offers one-off assistance of RM300 per student, benefitting 22,649 recipients, while the Sumbangan Kegiatan Sekolah (Sukses) provides RM3,000 per school to support school-level programmes – benefitting 1,500 schools Statewide.
Complementing these initiatives, the Tabung Pendidikan Negeri Sabah (TPNS) was launched in 2022 to assist students from low-income families with tuition and living costs. Since inception, TPNS has supported 10,104 recipients with RM15.8 million in total aid.
In a landmark move, the GRS Government also established a special RM2 million fund for the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) sector – the first in Sabah’s history.
This marks formal recognition of Chinese independent schools and UEC-qualified students as part of the State’s inclusive education ecosystem. A total of 37 UEC holders have since been awarded scholarships.
Incentives for academic excellence have also expanded. In 2024, 146 outstanding STPM students each received RM1,000, while one national-level achiever was rewarded with RM3,000 – reaffirming the State’s recognition of talent and achievement.
Chief Minister Hajiji described education as “the most meaningful investment a government can make.
“When we invest in education, we invest in hope. And when we empower our youth, we secure the future of Sabah,” he said. To align education with market needs, the State established the Sabah Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council on May 19 this year.
The Council coordinates over 160 technical and vocational institutions Statewide to prepare Sabahans for skilled employment in emerging sectors such as renewable energy, logistics and digital technology.
Infrastructure and digital access remain parallel priorities. Working with the Federal Education Ministry, the State has earmarked over 600 schools for upgrading or reconstruction under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), supported by RM707 million in State-Federal allocations.
Meanwhile, online scholarship portals now allow rural students to apply digitally for BKNS, TPNS and Budi assistance, reducing travel barriers and improving transparency.
Beyond classrooms, the GRS Government is empowering young Sabahans to play an active role in governance and policymaking.
At the Tamu Suara 360: Aspirasi Anak Muda Sabah 2025 programme at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Hajiji announced two new youth-empowerment initiatives – the Majlis Tindakan Belia Sabah and the Pemikir Muda Ketua Menteri.
Implemented in collaboration with the Sabah Youth and Sports Ministry and the Sabah Youth Council, these initiatives institutionalise youth consultation within the State’s decision-making process.
The Majlis Tindakan Belia Sabah will serve as a coordinating body for youth-development programmes across districts, while the Pemikir Muda Ketua Menteri will provide a platform for young leaders to share policy ideas and critiques directly with the State leadership.
“Young Sabahans must be ready to present their ideas and proposals so that they can be considered and implemented for the benefit of the youth and the people,” said Hajiji.
He described Tamu Suara 360 as proof that Sabah’s young generation seeks more avenues to express creativity, ideas and concerns.
“This event is not merely a programme but a channel of confidence that the voices of youth will not end here. Every suggestion, concern and dream expressed today will be refined, translated into action and defended until it becomes policy,” he added.
The Chief Minister also noted that 12,000 students received scholarships this year alone – comprising 5,000 Bumiputera Islam, 5,000 Bumiputera non-Islam and 2,000 Chinese recipients – reflecting the administration’s inclusive approach to education.
Beyond financing, youth entrepreneurship has expanded under the Skim Jaya Usahawan Belia Sabah (Syabas) and leadership programmes such as Felo SMJ, which train young Sabahans for roles in public administration and innovation.
After five years, the figures tell a compelling story: RM1.33 billion in total allocations, over 301,000 students, individuals, schools and institutions have benefited, 16 new initiatives, a formal UEC fund, a coordinated TVET Council and institutionalised youth participation through the Majlis Tindakan Belia and Pemikir Muda Ketua Menteri platforms.
No previous Sabah administration – whether Barisan Nasional, Warisan or earlier coalitions – has matched the scale, inclusiveness and continuity of GRS’ education and youth programmes.
The record investments and holistic policy approach mark a strategic shift: treating education and youth empowerment as twin engines of Sabah’s long-term prosperity.
