Dr Annuar with the pupils at the hostel.
Dr Annuar, Dennis and teachers visit SK Long Bemang hostel block, which houses 35 rural pupils.
Dr Annuar (seated, fourth right), Dennis (seated, sixth left) with the teachers of SK Long Bemang.
Dr Annuar (second row, eighth left) and Dennis (second row, seventh left) with SK Long Bemang teachers and pupils as well as medical officers from Sarawak Health Department during the visit to Long Bemang.
LONG BEMANG, Baram: SK Long Bemang is set to be the first school in Telang Usan constituency to receive an injection of fund from the RM1-billion allocated under Budget 2018, slated for repair works on dilapidated schools across the state.
Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee said SK Long Bemang teachers and pupils could look forward to a new school building soon.
“I will inform Dato Sri Michael Manyin (Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research) that for Telang Usan constituency, SK Long Bemang will be the first school to be repaired using parts of the RM1 billion allocation from the federal government,” Dr Annuar told The Borneo Post during a visit to SK Long Bemang on Wednesday.
He revealed that the process of calling for tenders, awarding contracts and incorporating construction methods to repair the dilapidated school, would be managed by the state.
“We are also looking at increasing the number of classrooms and the teacher quarters in SK Long Bemang.”
According to him, SK Long Bemang is classified as Category 3 (DS3) dilapidated school.
“Another big issue here is the flood, which has been occurring at least once a month. To date, this year has recorded a total of 10 big floods at this school and its vicinity,” Dr Annuar said.
Established in 1955, SK Long Bemang currently has an enrolment of 127 pupils under the charge of 24 teachers.
Most of the pupils are from three nearby villages – Long Bemang of the Kayans, as well as Long Buang and Long Tujang of the Penans.
Dr Annuar hoped that during the rebuilding of the new school, the teachers and pupils would continue to stay strong, with priority given to their safety.
“As assistant minister, my focus would be on two things – education and health services in rural areas.
“I hope the teachers would continue to motivate pupils to study and remind them there is no other way for them to change their future except through education. I’m sure all the sacrifices made by the teachers, although in unfavourable environments, would all be worthwhile,” he said.
Dr Annuar revealed that to date, 1,020 dilapidated schools across the state had been identified, with 415 including SK Long Bemang having been classified as ‘critically dilapidated’.
“It is hoped that we would be able to solve the issue of dilapidated schools in the state by next year.”
Dr Annuar also visited Long Bemang Health Clinic during his visit to the Kayan village.
Present were Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and state Health director Dr Jamilah Hashim.