Kota kinabalu: The Sabah government has allocated RM164.01 million for human capital development under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said. He stated that the allocation would focus on empowering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, promoting agricultural training, and advancing digital technology with an emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) literacy.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, human capital development remains a key priority under the state's development programme as Sabah aims towards progress and excellence. The skills and youth development sector is set to be further strengthened through the expansion of scholarships and educational assistance. This was highlighted by Hajiji during his speech at the Teacher Training Programme for the SMJ Robotics Competition held at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Lok Yuk.
The text of his speech was read by Sabah Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib. Hajiji emphasized the state government's commitment to providing more inclusive, high-quality education opportunities, with a particular focus on fostering STEM and innovation as integral parts of the school learning culture.
Hajiji outlined that programmes like the robotics competition should be conducted in an organized manner through collaboration between the education sector, schools, communities, and strategic partners. This collaboration is intended to ensure that teachers receive appropriate support and that students can benefit from meaningful learning experiences.
Furthermore, Hajiji stressed the importance of teacher training, which will equip educators with necessary skills and resources. This is aimed at enabling students to master technology, build confidence, and develop practical innovations. He noted that the programme offers a structured approach with minimum infrastructure requirements, the use of robotics kits, learning platforms, and teacher training through a Train-the-Trainer model to ensure its effectiveness.
Hajiji also highlighted the use of the LEANBOT robotics kit as a primary learning tool, complemented by physical training and simulations through Digital Twin, to offer students a practical and hands-on learning experience. This approach helps students understand concepts more deeply through experiential learning, rather than merely memorising theories.