Jugah (second right) and officers from Ministry of Education arrive at SMK Engkilili for a visit.
MIRI: Development seems to have missed out on schools in Lubok Antu as nothing has changed there in the last 40 years.
Its member of parliament (MP) Jugah Muyang said this after making his first visit to dilapidated schools there recently.
“I’ve visited SK Nanga Menyebat, SK Nanga Kesit, SK Nanga Menjuau and SK Nanga Tibu. The facilities are in very sad state, obsolete and hard to describe. Are they even categorised as dilapidated schools?
“However, we’re committed in ensuring that problems of dilapidated schools are resolved as soon as possible. I’m very sad to see such schools still exist in the outskirt, but not in the rural areas yet,” he said in a press statement received here yesterday.
Jugah said that on Feb 20, he and several officers from the Ministry of Education in Putrajaya visited SMK Engkilili after he highlighted the dilapidated condition of the school.
“Even though the conditions and facilities at the schools are very outdated, the teachers are still very committed in their duties.
“The students, the majority of whom are from rural areas, displayed very high spirit. Some of them can even read poems in English. There are also those with high interest in science even though their science lab is very rundown,” he said.
Jugah said he’s confident that if the government could upgrade dilapidated schools and provide better facilities, the standard and quality of education of students in those schools would improve tremendously.
“Quality education can definitely help eradicate poverty in Sarawak’s rural areas.
“If our children are given access to good education and have the opportunity to pursue their studies at a higher level, children from poor families in rural areas can also be successful, and go on to take their families out of poverty.
“I have seen and met many talented students from poor families in the rural areas. If given the opportunity to study in boarding schools with good facilities and quality teachers, they could excel not only in the academics but also in curriculum activities.
“But sadly, these students do not have much opportunities like those in the cities or those in full boarding schools.”
Jugah (right) briefs officers from the Ministry of Education during a visit to SMK Engkilili.
He hoped that universities in the country could lower the intake requirement of students from rural areas or poor families, as they could not be compared with students from well-to-do families and those from urban schools.
He said those from well-to-do families were often sent to tuition classes, have good quality revision books and good teachers to help them with their studies. Those in full boarding schools also have similar benefits.
“But not for students from poor families or from rural areas. If they do not score many ‘As’ like urban school students, but are given a chance for better education, they too can succeed and have a bright future.
“When I read a research paper of a lecturer from a local university whom I highly look up to, I feel ashamed that Lubok Antu is listed as one of the seven poor districts in Sarawak. But I take it positively. In fact, I’m impressed that he dared to expose the result of his research. I hope the authorities would accept the findings with an open mind,” he said.
On a different note, Jugah urged the people in Lubok Antu parliamentary constituency to apply and update their details for the application of Cost of Living Aid (BHS) 2019.
“I hope this aid can help lessen the burden of those in need,” he added.