TELUPID: Pupils at the hostel of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Telupid will be able to sleep more comfortably now on new beds, contributed by the Beluran parliamentary office.
Beluran member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee duly acted on a Facebook posting early this month which went viral showing the pathetic condition that pupils there had to put up with, by acquiring through his constituency’s funds, 200 units of new beds, mattresses and pillows.
He said the hostel’s furniture including cupboards and were old and worn and mostly more than 10 years old.
A report from the school also showed some of the items are about 30 years old without being replaced, he told reporters when met after the handing over of the new items at SMK Telupid here yesterday.
“The school had repeatedly sent applications to the Education Ministry through the Sabah Education Department for funds to replace the hostel furniture but there had been no action,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said assistance and contributions from companies and individuals around Beluran had made some difference although the hostel was still in a sorry state.
Ronald who is also Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, approved a RM20,000 allocation to repaint the hostel and make it a more cheerful environment for the pupils.
Meanwhile, SMK Telupid headmaster Rukimin Sulit expressed his appreciation for the contributions which had eased the shabby hostel conditions that the 355 pupils had to bear.
He said the hostel could accommodate 480 pupils if fully furnished. – Bernama