POVERTY: Brunei: Government Expenditure To Focus On Zero Poverty

Syed Rory Malai Hassan : , 03 March 2011

Bandar Seri Begawan - Zero poverty will continue to become a main area of focus for government expenditure in the 2011/2012 budget of $5.8 billion, said second Finance Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj Abd Rahman Hj Ibrahim in yesterday's session of the seventh meeting for the State Legislative Council.
Of the $1.73 billion slated under the category of government spending for social harmony and the eradication of poverty, the second finance minister said that efforts to eradicate poverty in the country will continue, with priority given to coordinating the plans and actions among agencies involved in improving the effectiveness of programmes designed to assist specific target groups.
According to the second minister, Ministries of Education and of Religious Affairs will be among the recipients of the budget allocated under this category.
The second minister said that $3 million will go to these two ministries in order for them to continue funding programmes to assist children from poor families and $13 million to support the cost of providing school transportation.
The second minister also said the two ministries will both be allocated a certain amount under this category to be used to improve the level of academic achievement for students.
The undisclosed amount will assist in raising the academic performance of students in all levels.
As a continuous effort to increase the rate of providing basic services and infrastructure, a total of $326.8 million will be provided to the construction sector as well as public facilities.
With the allocation of the budget for this sector, it is hoped that the government will accomplish its objectives which include ensuring that children specifically from poor and needy families will continue to receive the assistance and support of the government in the pursuit of their full education.
In the hopes of successfully reaching the goals under these objectives, parental cooperation in this matter is of the utmost importance, said the second minister.
Parents or guardians must play an important role in ensuring that their children make full use of the advantages and privileges presented to them in order to achieve their full academic potential, added the second minister. "By way of successful academic achievement only will we be able to guarantee an improved quality of life for those in need as it not only helps them (children) to pave their future but also helps them to help their families rise up in their social standing,' said the second minister in addressing poverty and social harmony. - Courtesy of The Brunei Times
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