KOTA KINABALU: The federal government had allocated RM10 million for five schools that were damaged by fire in Sabah this year, said Education Department director Datuk Jame Alip.
The five schools are SM Pekan Kiulu, Tuaran and SK Gadong, Beaufort in March; SK Simpangan, Kota Marudu and SK Tampasak, Papar in early May; and SK Penimbawan, Tuaran last Thursday.
According to Jame, RM500 million more would be sought from the federal government to ensure the wiring and physical condition of 855 primary schools and 216 secondary schools in Sabah are at optimal level in terms of safety, as well as to upgrade these schools.
“We find that a total of 640 schools, including primary and secondary schools in Sabah, are still utilizing buildings that are still made of wood with old wiring, so we are planning to start a committee from the state Education Department and the Public Works Department to appoint consultants to determine the safety of all these schools,” he said.
Jame denied accusations from the public that the fire in the schools were a result of sabotage.
“The schools were old and had wooden buildings. We believe the fire was caused by the hot weather and also the wiring condition of these schools,” he told in a press conference at Terminal One International Airport yesterday.
“Some cases also occurred after office hours, which gave the possibility that the electrical equipment in the schools were not shut off and overheated,” he said, and added that SK Penimbawan, Tuaran was built in 1979.
Jame said the five affected schools were currently equipped with tables and chairs and that the school facilities and buildings would be rebuilt as soon as possible.