Rural school appeals for more, better facilities

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Front view of SK Ulu Sungai Salim’s administrative block.

Baru (left) symbolically rings the bell with Dayun on his left.

SIBU: SK Ulu Sungai Salim here is in need of more facilities to cater to the needs of its pupils and teachers.

In stating this, its headmistress Dayun Jackson Bunsie appeals for attention to be given to the school which is in need of an administration block, special classrooms, resource centre, science rooms, a multi-purpose hall and new toilets for pupils.

She added that they really need a new administration block as the existing one is run-down and affected by termites.

Dayun said this in her opening remarks during Works Minister Baru Bian’s visit to SK Ulu Sungai Salim here yesterday on the rebuilding and upgrading of dilapidated school project using IBS for Sarawak (phase one) implemented by JKR Malaysia.

In response, Baru said he took note of some of the requests made by Dayun.

When asked during a press conference later, if there was a need for safety audit to be carried out on the administration block, Baru advised that the school to write in officially to the Ministry of Education (MOE) on the situation.

“I think that is the proper thing to do so that they (MOE) can come and carry out inspection. If it is in a very run-down state, I am sure the Ministry (of Education) whould do something.

“So, I hope the school can do that,” added the Selangau MP and Ba Kelalan assemblyman.

Earlier in speech, Baru assured that he would look into the problems of dilapidated schools especially in Sarawak.

“We just pray that when the country’s economy bounces back to healthy state – we will be able to carry out the projects,” he said.

The school has 110 pupils with 12 teachers and three support staff.

Also present at the function were JKR Malaysia headquarters (Works Education Branch) director Ahmad Redza Ghulam Rasool and JKR Sarawak deputy director (building and expertise) Stanley Chai.

The new classroom block at SK Ulu Sungai Salim completed using IBS.