2 weeks Ago By Bruno J
KUCHING: A student from one of the remotest secondary schools in Sarawak is among the top scorers in last year's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.Wilfred Anyie Wellis, who attended SMK Long Bedian in the remote district of Telang Usan, deep in the Baram in the northern interior of Sarawak, scored all 'As' in the eight subjects he sat for, according to the state's Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah.He was the only one of the 43 students who sat for the examination for the first time in the newly built school and one of the 821 in the state who achieved straight 'As'.
Sagah said all the 43 students passed their examination to secure a 100 per cent achievement – a pride for a rural school.The school is located in the settlement from which it took its name.The predominant ethnic group in Long Bedian is the Kenyah, specifically the Kenyah Badeng, who are known for their rich cultural heritage, traditional longhouses, and community-oriented lifestyle.
It is approximately 250 to 280km from Miri city, depending on the route taken, and the travel time can be 8 to 10 hours or more because the roads from Miri to Long Bedian include stretches of logging roads and gravel tracks, which can be rough and slow-going—especially during the rainy seasons.People in that part of Sarawak only use 4-wheel-drive vehicles to move around.The 821 who scored straight 'As' represent 2.
55 per cent of the 35,423 students who registered for the exam, Sagah said in a media conference.That, he said, was better than the 2023 result.Sarawak also had 800 absentees – lower by over 200 compared to the 2023 figure.
Sagah said Wilfred would certainly receive state educational assistance if he applies for one to pursue his tertiary education.He qualifies for free tertiary education if he applies to study in any one of the state-owned universities next year.The nearest one to him is Curtin University of Technology in Miri.
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