Some of the teachers at the get-together between Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also education minister, with school representatives and parent-teacher associations in Selangor at Sekolah Agama Menengah Tinggi Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Sungai Manggis, yesterday. — NST picture by Roslin Mat Tahir
BANTING: The Federal Government has never shirked off its responsibility in opposition-ruled states, especially towards education development, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
As testimony to the Federal Government's commitment, Muhyiddin yesterday handed RM3.22 million in grants to 23 government-aided religious schools in Selangor.
He also announced RM1.4 million to be allocated for Sekolah Agama Rakyat (people's religious schools) and fardhu ain classes (religious classes) in the state involving over 90,000 students.
He said in the 2011 Budget RM9.6 million had been allocated for Selangor for religious education development.
He said the allocation were for teachers as well as for minor repairs, utilities and construction of schools.
He was speaking at a get-together with school representatives and parent-teacher associations in Selangor at Sekolah Agama Menengah Tinggi Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Sungai Manggis.
Muhyiddin, who is also the education minister, said the opposition should go down to the grassroots and see the achievements of the Federal government instead of criticising.
He said the initiatives implemented by the government under the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) had also shown results.
Citing an example, he said the ministry had achieved its target of promoting early childhood education under the Education National Key Result Area (NKRA). This involves 700,00 children.
He said the opposition had to understand how the GTP had progressed for the past one year.
"They said the GTP results were only rhetoric. Read the GTP 2010 Annual Report first.
"The GTP has surpassed many of the set targets.
"Go down to the ground and see for yourself what are the things achieved under the GTP."
Later, while addressing some 3,000 people at the 100-year anniversary celebration of Sekolah Sijangkang, Muhyiddin was pleased with the growing number of schools that had achieved a global standard.
These schools, he said would be rewarded accordingly under the New Deal (Bai'ah) programme. .
"Everyone in such schools will be rewarded, including the support staff.
"Can't they (the opposition) see how committed we are to boost the education sector?"
Muhyiddin also said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had set purpose and initiatives to drive the nation to greater heights.
"Many have realised this and it shows in the past by-elections that have seen BN won with higher majority."
Muhyiddin later visited SJK (C) Jenjarum and presented cheques totalling RM2.7 million to two schools -- SJK (C) Jenjarum and SJK (C) Yoke Kuan Sekinchan -- for their expansion plans.
His walkabout in Selangor was the start of his nationwide visits to states to meet with the people and establish better rapport with the grassroots.
