SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has allocated almost RM13 million to ensure the success of six education initiatives including the Selangor People's Tutoring Programme (PTRS) this year.

Deputy State Secretary (Management) Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the allocation was part of the state government's efforts to empower education programmes, apart from meeting future requirements.

"For this year, we have allocated RM10 million for the PTRS, of which RM7 million was donated by MBI Selangor, followed by the repair of school infrastructure and free internet data, RM1 million each.

"Apart from that, the state government also provided RM500,000 to be distributed to parents and teachers' associations as well as RM150,000 for the purchase of laptops and iPads to be distributed to selected schools. This year, the contribution of the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) will continue with an allocation of RM200,000, specifically for asnaf students," he said.

He said after officiating the state-level Tekad Pendidikan #KitaSelangor: STEM Exploration Carnival at the Shah Alam Convention Centre today, which was also attended by the state education director Dr Jafri Abu.

Meanwhile, when reading the text of the speech of Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Mohamad Zahri said the state government always pays attention and is committed to the empowerment of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the state.

"It is also one of the focuses of the First Selangor Plan (RS-1). These efforts are to open up space for students to understand and appreciate mathematics and science and in turn, produce highly talented students in the world of research," he said.

-- BERNAMA