Channel RM1 bln quickly for us to start school repairs, ministry tells S’wak govt

KUCHING: The Education Ministry is urging the Sarawak government to ‘quickly channel’ the RM1-billion fund to allow works to repair or rebuild rundown schools in the state to commence.

Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said to date, her ministry had yet to receive any of the money, which is from the repayment of RM1 billion debt to the federal government from the Sarawak government, specifically for that purpose.

“The federal and Sarawak governments have an agreement to use the RM1 billion to fix schools that are in poor condition.

“If possible, we would like to implement it faster. Right now I can’t give the implementation completion date as we’ve not received the funds,” she told a press conference after visiting SK Sebandi Matang in Asajaya, Samarahan yesterday.

According to her, there are 207 schools in the 5-7 scale – deemed either unsafe or having old buildings.

In Sarawak, there are one secondary school and 44 primary schools categorised under Scale 7, which is deemed unsafe by the Public Works Department (JKR).

“For Scale 6, which is deemed unsafe by the ministry, there are four secondary schools and 53 primary schools. For Scale 5, which is for having unsafe building(s), there are six secondary schools and 99 primary schools,” she explained.

Present with Teo during her visit were Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong and Sarawak Education Department deputy director Abang Mat Ali Abang Masagus.