RM10 mln building on 6-acre land for SK Gersik

KUCHING: The 46-year-old SK Gersik will move to a new location between Kampung Sourabaya Ulu and Kampung Gersik.

TOP ACHIEVER: Zakiah receives her excellent award from Rahman (left). Also seen are Zakiah’s father Haili Birin (second left) and Amit.

Announcing this during the ‘Pasar Ria’ event organised by SK Gersik parent-teacher association (PTA) and Kuching City North Commission (DBKU), Pantai Damai assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the plan will be announced under the Tenth Malaysia Plan soon.

“At a total cost of RM10 million on a six-acre land, the new school will definitely provide a better learning environment for students especially from the BGS (Boyan-Gersik-Sourabaya) villages,” said Rahman.

The new school will be able to accommodate 800 to 1,000 students compared to the current capacity of 359 students and 30 teachers.

Rahman said they were studying proposals on whether to develop the site of the old school into a tourism spot.

“The school is situated between trails used by visitors and tourists to get to Fort Magherita. We need to concentrate on the new school first,” he said.

Earlier Rahman urged parents to monitor their children’s studies and listen to what they had to say.

“The newer generations are very outspoken and we need to listen to their opinions and needs, as that is among the steps to be taken to ensure their development is on the right path,” he said.

He added: “Their thinking skills are very much different compared to our times as they are exposed to the world of unlimited information through globalisation and information technology.

Rahman praised the school’s teachers for the improved pass rate in the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR).

He presented an award to its top UPSR achiever, Zakiah Haili who scored 5As and is now studying at Kolej Dato Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah.

On another matter, Rahman reminded the villagers of BGS to take advantage of the business opportunity from the development of Boyan Waterfront, the food court, and tourists visiting the village via water taxi (penambang).

“The infrastructure provided should be used wisely to venture into business, and I hope the villagers will turn this area into a place for tourists,” he said.

Also present yesterday were headmaster Rapaee Sabol, PTA chairman Amit Abang Sahari and BGS community leaders.