By DayakDaily Team
BINTANGOR, June 25: School development must go beyond fixing dilapidated buildings and also include increased allocations for co-curricular activities and modern learning equipment, says Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol.
He said many rural schools are still struggling with limited funding to carry out educational, social and sports activities, which are essential in shaping students’ character and soft skills.
“To create a more vibrant school environment and to build resilient, well-rounded students with strong social skills, many creative initiatives proposed by dedicated teachers cannot be implemented due to limited funding.
“We support the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) introduction of the Digital Education Policy, but the use of technology in teaching and learning requires proper basic infrastructure such as computers, LED projectors and other equipment,” he said when speaking during the Ngabang Gawai programme for the N42 Semop constituency held at the multipurpose field of SK Mupong today.
He added that the Ministry must allocate sufficient funding to drive the policy forward, warning that otherwise it risks becoming mere popular rhetoric without real implementation.
During the event, Abdullah who is also Semop assemblyman, further announced Minor Rural Project (MRP) allocations to several Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs), including RM60,000 to Rumah Preddy and RM50,000 to Rumah Umboh for the upgrading of access roads leading to their respective longhouse jetty areas. Another RM15,000 was allocated to JKKK Rumah Seli for the construction of a cooking shed.
He also said that Phase 1 of the road project connecting nine longhouses in Mupong Tengah has been completed at a cost of RM400,000. Phase 2, involving road gravel works, is expected to be implemented soon with an allocation of RM450,000.
In addition, a total of 12 longhouse JKKKs received allocations under the Poor People’s Home Improvement Programme (PPRMS), amounting to RM495,000 in total.
The seven-day Ngabang Gawai programme in Semop has involved activities held at 14 locations, drawing participation from residents of about 50 longhouses. — DayakDaily
