KUCHING, Dec 24: Building 10 international schools within three years is definitely not practical, says Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
Stating that establishing a school is not easy and quick, he said it requires a careful study of the socio-economic implications, much like the case of the proposed five international schools in Sarawak.
“The original five international schools proposed was based on the needs of the moment. The Ministry was of the opinion that the number was optimum at that point in time.
“Building five school facilities is not only challenging but more importantly, there are considerations of the appropriate curriculum, teacher requirements, training and getting the right students to register in the schools.
“It is due to these considerations that only five schools were proposed. To build 10 schools within three years is definitely not practical.
“However, should there be a demand in future for more State-owned international schools, then I’m sure the Sarawak government would consider building more,” he said in a statement today.
Sagah was responding to Stampin Member of Parliament (MP) Chong Chieng Jen’s recent Facebook post urging the Sarawak government to build 10 schools in three years.
(https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=744264457572385&extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing)
At the same time, Sagah said that under Sarawak Budget 2024, RM16 million has been allocated for the operation of the existing international school in Petra Jaya (Kuching) next year. This amount can be revised from time to time.
He also said that the development budget for the first three international schools— Petra Jaya, Kuching (Mile 12, Kuching-Serian Road) and Sibu—is RM60 million each.
“The development budget for the remaining campuses at Bintulu and Miri have yet to be determined as their construction have not been tendered yet.
“The Ministry will continue to monitor closely the development of the State-owned schools to ensure that they provide the very best education to nurture our children to be the new generation of movers and shakers, thinkers and future leaders of the State, as stated by our Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg),” he added. — DayakDaily
