By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 7: The state Education Department is in the process of identifying and evaluating new sites to relocate schools in flood-prone areas including SK Kuala Kenyana and SK Jebungan in Balingian.
Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research, Dr Annuar Rapaee, revealed that about 50 schools in Sarawak had been damaged and affected by floods in 2018.
“Perhaps, Yang Berhormat for Balingian (Abdul Yakub Arbi) can assist the state Education Department in this matter.
“If suitable sites are available, these can be submitted to the Ministry of Education for their consideration,” he said in responding to Abdul Yakib on the state government plans for schools facing disaster risks.
Dr Annuar said the state government has put much emphasis on human capital development through education though education is under the Ninth Schedule of the Federal List, which was the responsibility of the federal government.
“The state government has allocated RM342 million for schools infrastructure and facilities alone, including two new schools SK Maludam and SK Ulu Segang. Under the Rural Transformation Initiative, 60 schools have been repaired and RM50 million used to supply electricity, while another 30 schools benefited from treated water supply.
“Under the Northern Regional Development Authority (NRDA), RM160 million was allocated to repair schools in Lawas and Limbang,” he said.
As for human capital development, he added that the state government has spent about RM15.7 million including school leadership programme, training of teachers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects, seminars to improve teachers who are teaching the English language and RM11 million for training of teachers to teach Science and Maths in English.
“All in all, the state government has spent RM358.4 million,” he said. — DayakDaily
