Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

KENINGAU: All pupils at SK St Francis Xavier will attend morning session starting next year following the recent completion of the school’s new building. 

School’s principal, Helena Edirin said classes were previously divided into morning and evening sessions due to the huge number of pupils in the school.

She said they have waited for more than 30 years for the new building, which cost about RM2.2 million to construct. 

She said the new building has 17 classrooms, which can accommodate 1,025 pupils, in addition to the two existing buildings. 

She said the new building also comes with toilet facilities. 

She said previously co-curricular activities had to be disrupted and learning sessions could not be fully implemented due to limited time. 

“But we hope that when the school reopens next year, all classes will be held during morning session while the co-curricular activities can be fully carried out in the evening,” she said when met during the school’s Parent Teachers Association Family Day recently. 

The event was officiated by KDM Malaysia Vice President-cum-Perkasa Holding Chairman, Mudi Dubing, who represented KDM Malaysia President Datuk Peter Anthony who is also Minister of Infrastructure. 

Edirin said plans to construct the new building was made in 1984 but construction only started in 2017 with 90 per cent of the funds coming from the parents, former students and philanthropists.

The new building was completed in October this year but it could not be immediately used due to the lack of chairs in the classrooms. 

“We need 600 chairs to accommodate some 600 pupils who will start using the building’s new classrooms. We have enough tables but short of chairs,” she explained. 

Meanwhile, Mudi applauded the efforts taken by all those involved in making the initiative a reality. 

“We understand that this school is not fully funded by the government but as with the new government, we try to find ways to help. I will take this matter to the Minister’s attention for further action,” he said. 

Mudi also presented RM3,000 on behalf of Peter for the school’s fund.