KUCHING, Oct 7: The Sarawak government has provided RM2 million to SJK Chiaw Nam, Miri and RM300,000 to SJK Yu Hin, Limbang to support the relocation and building of Chinese primary schools in Sarawak.
Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian in a Facebook post said the funds were part of the Sarawak government’s RM10 million grants for Chinese primary schools this year for rebuilding of classroom blocks or relocation of schools.
He said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has set up the Special Unit for Aided Chinese Primary Schools in Sarawak under his ministry with RM8 million funding for 12 schools last year and RM10 million for 16 schools this year.
He said the Federal funding at the moment does not cover the physical infrastructure of Chinese primary schools.
As a result, Dr Sim said the rebuilding of dilapidated school blocks and relocation or schools from rural to urban are private responsibilities of school boards.
He believed an estimated RM50 million is needed over the next five years to meet the needs of the 223 Chinese primary schools in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, in Sept 25, Dr Sim also handed over RM1.3 million from the Sarawak government as part of the funding to build a new school block for SJK Chung Hua 4 1/2 here.
In the meantime, Dr Sim said SJK Chiaw Nam, originally from Marudi was relocated to Miri in 2013 while SJK Yu Hin, originally from Kanowit was relocated to Limbang since 2008. — DayakDaily
