Commitment needed to better infrastructure

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Manyin (second left) stressing his point on education in a press conference while Shirini (left), Hairolhamzi (right) and William share the same concern.

MIRI: The Sarawak government wants the federal government to give full commitment to improve and uplift school infrastructure in the state.

State Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong is disappointed that there are still outstanding problems on school infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, which were yet to be resolved.

“The PH government said that the poor condition of our schools in the state didn’t just occur yesterday as the dilapidated schools have been there for many years.

“We have put a lot of trust in the federal government as education is under the jurisdiction of the federal government. There is no need to blame anyone. What we expect is for the current government to give their due attention and help us to improve these needy schools,” he stated at a press conference after officiating at the 3rd Series of Primary Schools Management Enhancement and Leadership Workshop at Mega Hotel here yesterday.

Manyin disclosed that out of the 1,020 dilapidated schools throughout the state, 425 of them were in critical condition that need urgent attention from the federal government.

He reminded that the previous federal government had agreed to allocate RM1 billion for dilapidated schools in Sarawak and promised to give half of the amount last year and another half this year.

“We appeal to the current government to give us the budget which had been promised by the previous federal government. At least schools in rural areas can be improved in terms of the condition of the buildings.”

In addition, he stressed that the state government placed high emphasis on education development in Sarawak although the matter is under federal list.

“It has been stressed by the previous and current federal education minister for us not to touch on policies and curriculum as the role of our ministry is only to complement and supplement what federal is doing.”

Also present were permanent secretary of the ministry Datu William Patrick Nyigor, head of Curriculum and Co-curriculum Department for Institut Aminuddin Baki Sarawak branch Hairolhamzi Bahroddin and Miri district education officer Shirini Mastura Mohd Zulkifli.