By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Mar 20: Chinese primary schools in Sarawak have received allocation of RM10 million under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government for rebuilding dilapidated classrooms apart from the annual grant to Chinese independent secondary schools.
Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian in his Facebook posting said although the federal government under the Education Ministry pay for the teachers and provide annual grants for the maintenance of all Chinese primary schools in Sarawak, the school’s management board is responsible for the rebuilding of dilapidated classrooms or additional school facilities.
He recalled that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg gave out RM8 million for 12 Chinese primary schools in Sarawak for the rebuilding of dilapidated classrooms during the opening of SJK Chung Hua Bako at Kota Samarahan last year.
“For 2021, CM Abang Johari had approved the Chinese School Unit under me.
“Chinese Middle (Secondary) Schools – RM10,000,000 and Chinese Primary Schools – RM10,000,000 (rebuilding only as Federal still funding the teachers and running cost),” Dr Sim who is also the minister in charge of a Special Unit for Aided Chinese primary schools under the Chief Minister’s Office said.
Dr Sim noted the allocation for Chinese primary schools for the rebuilding of dilapidated classrooms was in addition to the annual grant to 14 Chinese secondary schools since 2014 announced by the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
During a visit to SJK (C) Chung Hua Bako yesterday together with Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools president Johnathan Chai, Dr Sim gathered that there were 188 students studying in the school with 60 per cent of them are Bumiputera, 10 per cent mixed and 30 per cent Chinese.
He asserted that the Chinese schools in Sarawak are for all races and religions. —DayakDaily
