SIBU: The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and the Sarawak Timber Association (STA) have offered to help the government repair dilapidated schools in the state’s rural areas via their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.
STIDC general manager Datuk Sarudu Hoklai said both parties would discuss to determine the type of assistance that would be contributed, be they monetary or construction materials.
He said STIDC would also hold talks with the state education department to seek views and advice on the best way to channel the aid as schools were now bound by strict rules over the acceptance of donations from outside parties.
“We have always discussed and are in touch with STA to make the CSR project more impactful by taking into account the case of several dilapidated schools in Sarawak,” he added.
Sarudu was speaking at the STIDC central region gathering event and handing over of RM145,000 donation by STA Mutual Sdn Bhd to 120 primary and secondary schools in Sibu on Friday. The former teacher said he was aware of the sorry state of rural schools and their lack of infrastructure as he had once served in rural schools. — Bernama