SIMUNJAN (Sarawak), Aug 21 (Bernama) — In order to cultivate children’s interest in local arts and crafts, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) through the Creative Craft Studio programme has selected two schools in the district for the pilot project of Batik Canting colouring activities.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said for a start, a total of 200 Batik Canting kits have been distributed to Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Chung Hwa Simunjan and Sekolah Kebangsaan Abang Man Simunjan.

“This programme will be held continuously and we want to encourage schools to set up a craft association and we will discuss this matter with the Ministry of Education.

“So far, we have just started by distributing the kits for students to get used to it. We can see their creativity in terms of color selection,” she told reporters after handing over the People’s Well-Being and Economic Recovery Package (PEMULIH) aid, here today.

According to a statement from MOTAC, the kits were distributed to expose primary and secondary school students to the basic knowledge on techniques, materials and processes involved in the production of a local craft product.

At the ceremony, Nancy handed over a financial assistance of RM1,500 to 26 recipients from the total 1,097 entrepreneurs in the state, who were eligible to receive the PEMULIH incentive for the craft industry.

The incentive which has benefited 6,000 nationwide, is one of MOTAC’s initiatives to help craff entrepreneurs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency