KUCHING: The Public Works Department (JKR) will investigate and consider possible solutions to resolve the water woes affecting SK Kambug in Upper Padawan.
In a statement in response to an article front-paged by The Borneo Post yesterday, the Ministry of Public Utilities said the water supply to the school came from a gravity-feed system implemented by the Health Ministry.
But in view of the problems faced by this boarding school of more than 100 pupils, who are from nearby villages such as Kampung Sapit, Kampung Assum and Kampung Parang, JKR would consider improving the gravity-feed system or install an alternative water supply system or lay pipelines from the existing water supply system.
With regards to electricity issues faced by the school, the statement said the project to extend electricity supply line to the school was completed last year under the Rural Electrification Scheme.
“The service line connection, including the installation of the (electrical) meter, is the responsibility of the school. The headmaster of the school is, therefore, advised to apply to Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation (Sesco) for the electricity supply connection and payment of the necessary fees.”
In the article, SK Kambug’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president, Doris Tiot, told The Borneo Post that the school had to reply on the gravity-feed water supply system and sometimes rainwater for their daily endeavours.
She, however, said the water the school was getting was scare and the pipeline was often blocked by leaves and debris.
In addition, she was worried that the water might not be hygienic because beside the dam (for the gravity-feed system) there were people growing lemongrass, cocoa and rubber trees. Hence, she said, the pesticides used might contaminate the water.
On electricity, Doris said three of the four diesel-powered generators that supply electricity to the school had broken down, and the school currently has only about 12 hours of electricity each day.