In the 2023/2024 academic year, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that over 80,000 primary school pupils in Sarawak are eligible for the Education Ministry’s school milk programme. The Premier stated that the programme is intended for school children from families with a monthly household income of RM1,169 and below, or RM310 per capita.
According to the Premier, a total of 83,852 pupils throughout Sarawak have been selected for the programme based on this criteria. He expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Education Ministry and Sabah International Dairies Sdn Bhd in supporting the practice of drinking milk among school children during the Borneo-level World School Milk Day celebration held on Jan 17.
State Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah read the Premier’s speech at the event. Sabah International Dairies is the supplier of milk for the programme in both Sabah and Sarawak.
Abang Johari emphasized that the programme is designed to promote daily milk consumption for better nutrition and health among school children. He urged parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to continue supporting the programme and ensuring that pupils from lower-income families receive the free milk assistance.
Datuk Azhar Ahmad, the State Education director, explained that the World School Milk Day celebration aims to raise awareness about the importance of child nutrition. He mentioned that various activities were conducted in schools as part of the celebration, including a TikTok challenge focusing on drinking milk and awards for schools with the best school milk programme management.
The TikTok challenge was won by SK Beradek in Sarawak and SK Sindumin in Sabah. Meanwhile, the best programme management awards were given to SJK(C) Chung Hua Sematan in Sarawak and SK Pangi in Sabah.
