KOTA KINABALU: The Education Ministry has approved an allocation of RM8,567,000 for 65 missionary schools and 44 SJKC schools in Sabah and in the Federal Territory of Labuan.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching said the ministry had allocated RM4,257,000 to 65 missionary schools, while the remaining was for SJK(C) schools.
“Sabah and Sarawak have been given focus in the upgrading of school infrastructure,” she said at the ceremony to present cheques for Budget 2014 special package allocation for SJKC and missionary schools at SJK(C) Shan Tao yesterday.
Sabah was the first state to hold the ceremony and Yap would be going to Sarawak on October 3 to perform a similar function.
The minister also said the focus was part and parcel of the Malaysia Education Development Plan 2013 to 2025.
In her speech, Yap urged schools that have received the special allocation to use it effectively.
“Use the allocation that you have requested accordingly… unfortunately, some have deposited the allocation rendered (by the ministry) in fixed deposits. The schools (involved) do not use the allocation at all. Please do not do that … make sure the allocations given are used according to specifications,” she said.
Yap also mentioned that not all SJK(C) and missionary schools were invited to the event yesterday to collect cheques.
She explained that these schools had yet to submit their financial management report to the ministry.
“The report is very important … we can channel the allocation with the report and application made,” she said.
Yap added that the ministry would give an opportunity for schools that have yet to submit their 2012 and 2013 reports to do so and be qualified for the second phase of the cheque presentation.
She added that the provision of allocations in the country followed a standard operating procedure and it would take time for allocations to be approved.
“The ministry has 10,000 schools to look after,” she said.
Yap also clarified a report published in a local newspaper (not the Borneo Post) that mentioned that the Education Ministry had allocated RM500 million for several schools in Kiulu, Tuaran, Beaufort and Tamparuli.
“The ministry has never allocated RM500 million. It has allocated RM5 million. RM500 million is a big amount. The reporter has erred,” she said.
Yap also touched on the issue related to delays in schools construction by the entrusted contractors in Sabah.
“A special committee has been formed to monitor the Sabah schools’ infrastructure,” said Yap who has been appointed as the chairperson for the committee.
“We will be holding a meeting on a monthly basis,” she said.
Also present at the event were Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah and the state assemblyman for Luyang, Dr Hiew King Cheu.