By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 28: The Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions hopes that construction of SJKC Kai Nang, which will be relocated from Sibu to a new site in Kota Samarahan here, can be completed in two years.
Association president Jonathan Chai Voon Tok revealed that the project is currently awaiting approval from the State Planning Authority (SPA), following the Ministry of Education (MoE)’s approval of its relocation.
“While we have to also take into consideration the expenditure and progress of the construction, we however strongly hope that with the assistance from the federal government and Chong Chieng Jen (Pakatan Harapan Sarawak chairman), it can be completed in time,” he told reporters today.
Chai had today witnessed Chong, who is also Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, handing over the approval letter for the relocation of SJKC Kai Nang to the school’s Building Committee chairman Lee Jin Chiew.
Noting that the federal government had provided huge allocations for a couple of independent Chinese schools in Peninsular Malaysia, he hoped Sarawak will also be given the same benefit.
“We hope Chong will fight for the benefit of Chinese schools in Sarawak,” he added.
On certain views that the relocation of SJKC Kai Nang may be unnecessary considering it was well equipped in its existing location in Sibu, Chai explained that the school will definitely face challenges and difficulties in recruiting students as it was located near two other Chinese schools.
“Relocating it to Kota Samarahan here will provide for the needs of the fast growing population in this division.
“SJKC Chung Hua No. 2 for example is already full and every year, we have to reject over 200 new students applications to study there,” he said.
Chai also disclosed that the construction of SJK Chung Hua Bako commenced on Nov 2 and is expected to be completed in the middle of next year. The new school should be able to start operations by 2021.
“So when these two Chinese schools are completed, we hope children from our diverse communities especially the Chinese community will have opportunity to study there,” he added.
Meanwhile, construction for the new SJKC Kai Nang will be done in two phases with a total cost of approximately RM13 million — RM8 million for Phase One and RM5 million for Phase Two.
Once completed, the school can cater for 2,000 students.
Phase One will comprise of a four-storey administrative block and four-storey classroom block including facilities such as library, resource centre, workshop, pre-school, science lab, music room and health room, amongst others. — DayakDaily
