By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 8: Immediate action is needed to address safety concerns at the girls’ hostel of SMK Dalat, which has been declared unsafe but continues to house students, according to Dalat assemblywoman Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
According to a TVS report, Fatimah said student safety must be prioritised as the hostel was not included in the scope of a previously approved school development project.
“I was informed that the hostel has been declared unsafe by the Public Works Department (JKR).
“However, it was not included in the project scope and female students are still staying there. The first thing that needs attention is the safety of the students,” she was quoted as saying during the handover ceremony for the completed replacement building project comprising 18 classrooms at SMK Dalat and the construction of a new 12-classroom block at SMK Semop today.
Fatimah, who is the Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, noted that the nearly 48-year-old SMK Dalat still has several ageing wooden structures, with termite infestations affecting parts of the school buildings.
While the hostel is well maintained and kept clean, she said visible signs of deterioration, including termite damage to window frames, underscore the urgency of addressing the issue.
At the same time, Fatimah said the replacement building handed over today, which includes 18 classrooms and related facilities, represents only part of the school’s actual needs.
She pointed out that SMK Dalat had originally applied for 36 classrooms to accommodate its nearly 900 students, but only 18 classrooms were approved under the special project.
“Although we are grateful and thankful for the approval of this project, there are still many needs that require attention, including additional classrooms, a dining hall, hostel facilities and other supporting amenities,” she said.
Fatimah also highlighted the need for more comfortable and secure teachers’ quarters, stressing the important role educators play in shaping future generations.
She expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Education for implementing the project and to Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi for supporting educational development in the area.
Despite the progress achieved, Fatimah said several needs remain unmet and expressed hope that they would be considered in future planning for the welfare and safety of students and school staff. — DayakDaily
