KUCHING, May 23 — Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) has called on the government to consider maintaining the 300-litre monthly RON95 petrol subsidy specifically for educators in the state, particularly those serving in rural and interior areas.

Its president Kullin Djayang said the proposal was based on several key factors affecting teachers’ welfare and rising cost of living in Sarawak.

He said teachers in Sarawak not only carry out classroom teaching duties but are also actively involved in co-curricular activities, including accompanying students to sports events and competitions.

“Many programmes outside the school environment require teachers to travel long distances to stadiums, halls, and activity sites,” he said in a statement.

He added that many teachers also commute daily from home to school due to the shortage of teachers’ quarters in numerous schools across the state, further increasing fuel consumption.

“The issue of insufficient transport vehicles has been raised repeatedly, but many schools still do not have official vehicles,” he said.

He stressed that in view of these challenges, STU hopes that the government will take into account the financial burden borne by educators in Sarawak and retain the 300-litre monthly RON95 subsidy as a form of support for their contribution to national education development.

Meanwhile, Kullin recently officiated the STU Sarikei Division annual general meeting, where he also presented incentive contributions to children of STU members from Sarikei, Julau and Kanowit who excelled in public examinations. — The Borneo Post