SIBU, Oct 8: The Federal government’s approval for the construction of the much awaited SMK Dudong has been described as very good news for parents and students in Sibujaya and its surrounding longhouses.
Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz in tabling the Budget 2023 in Parliament yesterday said SMK Dudong is among the five new schools that will be constructed at a total cost of RM430 million.
The others are SMK Nabalu Sabah, SMK Dudong Sarawak, SK Paya Dusun Terengganu, SK Cyberjaya 2 and SMK Denai Alam, Selangor.
“I must say I was very surprised and extremely happy that eventually SMK Dudong will be constructed next year,” said SUPP Dudong chief Wong Ching Yong at a press conference today.
Wong said the project is a much needed one as the population of Sibujaya is ever growing, with the current population numbering between 35,000 and 40,000 people.
“I hope construction work can begin next year as the relevant authorities such as the Land and Survey Department, Sibu Water Board, Sesco, Bomba and Drainage & Irrigation Department have agreed to it,” he said.
There are three schools in Sibujaya which include SK Sibujaya, SJK Thian Hua and SMK Sibujaya.
Wong added that SMK Sibujaya and SK Sibujaya have been facing a serious shortage of classrooms for some time now.
“The shortages became acute during the outbreak of Covid-19. Due to the serious shortage of classrooms at SK Sibujaya, students sometimes were forced to take classes in the corridors. The system of rotational teaching in classes was implemented resulting in students not having the opportunity to take classes every day. This affects the quality of education,” he stressed.
Likewise, SMK Sibujaya was also facing serious classroom problems. Some science laboratories and workshops were forced to be converted into classrooms, otherwise students had to take turns to attend classes.
Wong expressed his deepest gratitude to Dr Sim and Permanent Secretary Dato Kameri Affendi for supporting the construction of SMK Dudong.
“I hope more funds will be allocated to construct SK Dudong and to build an auditorium in SJK Thien Hua,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
