Abang Johari (left) belts out a number – ‘Kasih Sayang’ – to raise RM1 million for the construction of the new RM3.5 million building for SK Abang Ali.
SIBU: The state has a new mechanism to address the issues of dilapidated schools in rural areas by making use of the funding from the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS).
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg who disclosed this said the state-owned bank will obtain funding to develop the dilapidated schools.
“Through this bank (DBOS), we have a new model to get funding to address the issues of dilapidated schools in rural areas of the state.
“This bank will do collection (reimbursement) from the federal government on the funds drawn out (used) by the state government. This is the understanding between us (state government) and the federal government.
“I have a new approach for us to assist the dilapidated schools especially in rural areas to ensure children can study in a conducive and safe environment,” he said when officiating at the 127th anniversary dinner of SK Abang Ali here on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly last Friday disclosed that 70 per cent of 1,454 schools in Sarawak had been categorised as dilapidated and in need of immediate attention from the authorities – 415 of them in critically dilapidated condition. Sarawak has 190 secondary schools and 1,264 primary schools.
Touching on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research, Abang Johari said the state needs to have its own ministry to monitor its education system especially with regard to the issue of dilapidated schools.
“Although education is under the federal government, I have set up the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research, because we have also invested in institutions of higher learning (IPTs) through Yayasan Sarawak such as Swinburne University, Curtin University and University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS).
“Therefore, we need our own Education Ministry to monitor the education system in Sarawak,” he added.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, described the Chief Minister’s visit to SK Abang Ali as a historical feat for the school. He pointed out that Abang Johari’s wife, Datin Amar Datuk Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, is a former pupil of the school.
Among those present were Juma’ani, Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, SK Abang Ali Alumni Association (Paskaa) chairman Datuk Mohamad Yusnar Matalie, Temenggong Datuk Wan Hamid Edruce, Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee and headmaster Hamdi Nadji.