Manyin (seated fourth right) and Dr Annuar (seated third right) in a photo-call with those present at the meeting.
KUCHING: The proposed merger of schools with low enrolment will also involve some Mission and Chinese schools.
Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin said just like government schools, the under-enrolled Mission and Chinese schools, particularly those in the rural areas, had to be merged in order to provide better schooling environment.
He assured that the merger of under-enrolled Mission schools would involve nearby Mission schools only while Chinese schools would be merged only with another Chinese school.
For a Mission or Chinese school to merge with a government school, Manyin said it could only take place if the boards of management of the schools and the parents of the students were agreeable to such a move.
“We won’t force them. Only schools which agree to it will be merged.
“Our concern is to provide our young Sarawakians with better school facilities and for them to be taught by specialist teachers so that we can improve the state’s overall academic performance,” he said during a meeting between his ministry and the board of management of Mission and Chinese schools to discuss the proposed consolidation of schools with low enrolment, here yesterday.
Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary Dr Abdul Rahman Deen, and State Education Department director Rakayah Madon were also present.
Representing the Mission schools were Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching the Most Rev Simon Poh, Bishop of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei Right Rev Danald Jute, as well as Rev Dr Lau Hui Ming and Steward Damat Mambang from the Methodist Church.
The Chinese schools were represented by Sarawak United Association of Chinese Primary Aided Schools Board of Management president Datuk Pau Chiong Ung, Board of Management of United Associations of Chinese Aided Primary Schools Sibu and Kapit Divisions chairman Datuk Yie Chee Ping, president of Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions Liu Thian Leong, and United Association of Chinese Primary Aided Schools Board of Management Miri and Limbang Divisions chairman Penghulu Haw Win Wai.
The meeting was held at Bangunan Baitulmakmur here, a day after the ministry met state assemblymen and district education officers to similarly discuss the matter.
A follow-up meeting will be held soon to fine-tune the proposal and finalise the move.
Manyin hoped the construction of centralised schools would start early next year, starting off with a few schools as a model.