LONG SELATONG (Ulu Tinjar), July 10: Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau hopes Works Minister Baru Bian would give due focus to rebuilding or repairing schools in floor-prone areas, especially in Baram.
“I guessed this the best moment for rural schools to be rebuilt or repaired as the appointed minister of works himself has this issue close to his heart,” said Dennis at the launching of ‘Program Lonjakan Prestasi UPSR’ for Year 6 pupils of SK Long Loyang, SK Long Aton and SK Long Sobeng.
He said the plight of flood-prone schools here, namely SK Long Bemang, SK Long Loyang and SK Long Sobeng, have been brought to the attention of the current and previous federal government.
“It has always been my struggle to get these schools to be relocated to higher ground as these schools are flooded several times a year. When it happens, it affects lessons, damages the schools and teaching aids as well as give the school administrators, teachers, pupils and parents a hard time,” he lamented.
Hence, he hoped Baru would resolve this problem quickly.
On another matter, Dennis reassured teachers in his constituency that they could count on him for support, adding that he had been giving generous allocations from the Minor Rural Project (MPR) Fund to Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs).
Turning to the 45 pupils taking part in the 5-day-4-night education initiative, Dennis urged them to take their studies seriously in order to secure good jobs in the future.
“Whether you are in school, college or university, please put all your energy and focus on your education. You only need around 22 years of your life to ensure a good life in the future. If you do not have proper education, life is going to be very difficult. Your hardship will not only be for one day or one year, but (probably) for the rest of your life,” he cautioned.
Also present were Long Sobeng headman Jaraw Braim, programme coordinator Dina Sulan, Sk Long Sobeng’s PTA head Gau Wan, and headmasters from all the participating schools, including SK Long Sobeng headmaster Jamalus Seruji. — DayakDaily
