By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 18: A total of nine dilapidated schools upgrading projects in Betong constituency have been approved.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon revealed that SK Mangut, SK Spaoh, SK Bungin, SMK Spaoh, SK Medang, SK Tui, SK Suri and SK Nanga Gayau are under Phase 1 of the RM1 billion dilapidated schools project.
“While SK Paku Central is under Phase 2 of the RM1 billion project,” he told the Dewan Rakyat in response to a question from Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat (Gabungan Parti Sarawak-Betong) today.
Mah noted that the implementation of the projects to repair and upgrade dilapidated schools for Sarawak was funded through the RM1 billion allocation under the contra loan payment agreement between the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Sarawak government in accordance with a specific mechanism.
“Up until July 2020, a total of RM700 million in loan repayment had been made by the Sarawak government,” he said.
The dilapidated schools upgrading project, he added, consisted of various scopes of works including building classrooms, administrative blocks, hostels, teachers’ houses, quarters, meal halls, resource centres, science rooms, restrooms and other facilities.
“As a whole, the project with RM1 billion allocation is implemented through three phases.
“Phase 1 involves 41 schools with a cost of RM350 million. Phase 2 involves 52 schools with a cost of RM350 million. Phase 3, for which the list and work scope are still being finalised by MOE together with the Sarawak government involves RM300 million,” he revealed.
Mah disclosed that up until Aug 17, 2020, 93 projects in Phase 1 and 2 have been approved with a total cost of RM700 million.
As for the status of implementation in Phase 1, he said that 21 projects are in the construction phase and 20 projects in pre-construction phase.
“For the pre-construction implementation status, they comprise four projects in the tender evaluation process, five projects in the process of issuing letter of acceptance, five projects in process of finalising contractors’ appointment and six projects expected to be tendered at the end of September.
“As for status in Phase 2 implementation, all projects are in pre-construction phase. The Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak is currently conducting surveying works and preparing the tender documents. The projects are expected to be tendered in phases starting Aug 22, 2020,” he explained. — DayakDaily
