Abang Jo hopes international schools under Yayasan Sarawak can produce calibre students

He said this includes a good command of the English language which is needed in the international workforce.

Abang Johari, who is more popularly known as Abang Jo, also said education has always been fully-emphasized under his leadership as a way to produce intelligent Sarawakians who will serve the country in future.

"That is why the Sarawak government decided that we must have our own schools that produce international students, bukan jaguh kampung tapi jaguh dunia (not village but world champions). If they (students) are world champions they get into renowned universities, they can come back and (help to) transform our economy.

"Now you have the avenue to pursue your knowledge, so you can continue to develop Sarawak just like South Korea as a developed country in the future," he said in his speech after the Fun Ride and Moment with Premier Sarawak event at the Yayasan Sarawak International School, Petra Jaya today.

Altogether, there are five Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary Schools, located at Petra Jaya, Semenggoh, Sibu, Miri, and Bintulu, with the one in Petra Jaya the first to begins its operations last May.

The Premier said for entrance to these schools, students from the B40 (lower income) group are offered full scholarships, whereas students from the M40 and T20 groups pay a minimal monthly fee.

He said the state government has also acquired its own assets in the education sector such as Curtin University, Swinburne University and Centre of Technical Excellence.