22 schools to benefit from RM25m allocation
Published on: Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Papar: State Education Director Datuk Jame Alip said a total of RM25 million, as recently announced, will be spent to construct new buildings, repair and upgrade 22 schools that were hit by natural disasters like floods, fires and landslides, which will commence within this year.The 22 schools are SK Tampasak in Kinarut, Papar, SK Penimbawan, Tuaran, SK Gadong, Beaufort, SK Pekan Kiulu, and SK Bawang in Tuaran, SK Pinggan-Pinggan in Pitas, SMK Kunak Jaya, Kunak, SK Pulau Mabul, Semporna, SK Kemabong, Tenom, SK Simpangan, Kota Marudu, SK Dualog, Kudat, SK Lotong, Nabawan, SK Matupang and SMK Bundu Tuhan in Ranau, SK St Anthony, Penampang, SK Mesilou, Ranau, SK Penudahan, Kudat, SK Tudan, Tuaran, SK Kuala Suan Lamba, Kinabatangan, SK Weston, Beaufort, SK Kelangsat, Sipitang, and SK Tun Fuad, Kunak.Meanwhile, a Deputy Federal Minister has openly called on the State Education Department to buck up in providing ideal classroom facilities.ADVERTISEMENT Deputy Works Minister-cum-Member of Parliament Datuk Rosnah Abdul Shirlin demanded that the Department speed up the construction of a new classroom block at SK Tampasak, which was revealed to be among two schools in Sabah that did not have walls. The other is SK Penimbawan in Tuaran. She said pupils from the school have, for close to a year, been studying in a makeshift classroom after fire destroyed several blocks in May, last year. Rosnah said the department must be committed and be efficient in taking measures despite facing delays both in technical and procedural aspects. "I am disappointed that no effort has been made after one year. To date there have been no indications a new block would be built to replace the ones destroyed by fire. ADVERTISEMENT "Pupils are facing a tough time studying in makeshift tents as being exposed to the elements will certainly disrupt their focus and comfort," she said, after launching a nine-a-side football championship and the launching of a new Telekom Malaysia product here. The event was organised by the Papar Divisional Umno Youth movement. Rosnah said this in response to worries raised by parents of pupils from the school as reported by the Daily Express recently.
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She said she was also made to understand that funds have already been allocated based on statements by the Education Ministry. "The Director should not have waited for Putrajaya to approve the allocation to begin work on the construction of school buildings damaged by disasters. Such damages should have been given priority without waiting a long time to process," she said. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Rosnah also said that the Deputy Prime Minister cum Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was also reported as saying that RM5 to RM10 million was allocated about seven to eight months ago to refurbish damaged schools in Penimbawan, Tuaran. She hoped similar allocation would be made for SK Tampasak.