Ripin (third left) presents his special award trophy and a mock cheque for RM500 cash to Susanna Urai Juk (holding trophy) witnessed by Dr Annuar (fourth left), Normah (left) and others.
MIRI: Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research will next year come out with some allocation for dilapidated schools in need of urgent repair throughout Sarawak.
Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee said such effort showed the ministry’s commitment to resolve the issue.
“We need to address as soon as possible the infrastructure issue faced by schools desperate for government assistance. The ministry is going to come out with an allocation to repair schools next year,” he said when officiating at SMK Riam’s eighth graduation ceremony at Imperial Hotel yesterday.
Dr Annuar who is also Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health seeks the support of the management of affected schools to address their infrastructure problems in stages.
“There is no doubt the issue related to school facilities is under the jurisdiction of the Education Ministry at federal level. The problem of dilapidated schools in Sarawak is longstanding and we cannot wait anymore.
“That’s why the state government set up the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research to help schools in the state with longstanding poor infrastructure problems.
He revealed 1,454 schools in poor condition in Sarawak with 1,020 considered dilapidated and 434 in urgent need of repair.
Although SMK Riam Miri has not been listed in the dilapidated category, he personally felt its infrastructure issue needed attention so hoped it can be put on the list of those for urgent repair.
Present were Lambir Assemblyman Ripin Lamat and school principal Normah Abdul Latiff.
Some 200 students received education awards during the graduation ceremony.