Dr Teo performs the gimmick to mark the start of the ‘Jiwa Murni Gotong-Royong’ programme at SK Senadin, watched by Jamaluddin (left) and James.
MIRI: Schools in Sarawak that are in dire need of repair works should provide photographic evidence to be attached with the reports meant to apply for funds from the government.
According to Miri MP Dr Michael Teo, this would facilitate the fund application process.
He also acknowledges that both the federal and state governments are fully aware of the high number of dilapidated schools in Sarawak.
“Unless the schools provide photographic evidence to accompany the reports on the necessary repairs, the government would not be able to know exactly what needs to be repaired urgently, or how much allocation is required.
“The federal government has allocated RM1 billion for repairing dilapidated schools in Sarawak and this fund needs to be disbursed efficiently as repairing schools is a very complex issue – every school has different needs when it comes to repair works,” he said when met at a ‘Jiwa Murni Gotong-Royong (Work Party)’ activity at SK Senadin yesterday, where the school’s headmaster James Nibong and the parent-teacher association (PTA) chairman Jamaluddin Andi also took part.
On the ‘gotong-royong’, Dr Teo commended the primary school for taking such an initiative, meant to provide a clean, beautiful and safe environment to the pupils, the teachers and the school staff, especially in view of the current Covid-19 situation.
Earlier in his speech, James said SK Senadin would need urgent repair works, considering the presence of some structural damage and cracks on the school blocks and also the drains.
“Although the JKR (Public Works Department) has certified that the buildings at the school are safe, in view of the many cracks and the sinking foundation, we want the government to repair the school urgently.
“I wouldn’t want myself, my staff and the schoolchildren to become victims of a collapsing school block,” he said.
James also pointed out the ongoing problem related to the school toilets – only seven units are functional to accommodate 1,290 pupils and 83 staff members.
On the ‘gotong royong’, he said it was the first of the two planned this year – the next programme would be run in October.