Teachers union welcomes cooperation on dilapidated school issues

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Ahmad Malie

SIBU: Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) said based on the budgets tabled for 2019 especially on education, it sees a strong cooperation and understanding between the federal and Sarawak governments in efforts to tackle the problem of dilapidated schools in Sarawak.

“KGBS welcomes such cooperation for the sake of upgrading infrastructures and narrowing the gap in academic performance irrespective of the location of certain schools as desired by Ministry of Education besides benefiting the target group,” said its president Ahmad Malie recently.

He was commenting on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s announcement on the sum RM81.7 million proposed under the State Budget 2019 to be allocated to rebuild, repair and upgrade the dilapidated schools including providing water and electricity supplies when the latter tabled the State Budget 2019 at the State Legislative Assembly on Monday.

Ahmad said such allocation showed Sarawak government’s strong commitment and willingness to utilise the state’s reserve fund to ensure the problems of dilapidated schools are dealt with in the best manner.

KGBS also hoped that with the allocation of RM100 million announced in the recent federal government Budget 2019, Sarawak will receive higher allocation given that there are still many dilapidated schools in the state.

“KGBS hopes that the federal government through the Ministry of Education will consider the KGBS’ call to prove that education is federal government’s responsibility,” he added.

Abang Johari when announcing the allocation had pointed out it was disheartening to see Sarawak’s children who have long been suffering from such poor quality of life condition and forced to study in such inferior learning environment compared to their peers in other parts of Malaysia.

The Chief Minister also explained that the Sarawak government has to step in to facilitate the development of schools in the state using state fund and will continue to do so next year.