By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Nov 16: State Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong announced an additional RM500,000 allocation from the state government for SMK St Teresa.
The fund was approved by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to add to the previous RM1.5 million state allocation for the school to rebuild its burnt down school hall, which also includes a new school block.
“To top up the RM1.5 million that has been given by the state government so far, the chief minister has already agreed to give another RM500,000, to make it RM2 million,” Manyin announced before hundreds of SMK St Teresa students, alumni and teachers during its ‘Let’s Rebuild St Teresa’ Fundraising Grand Dinner 2018 at Pullman Hotel here on Friday.
He was representing Abang Johari at the dinner, and read out the chief minister’s text speech.
Manyin said Abang Johari was impressed with SMK St Teresa’s effort in raising funds to ensure its students would enjoy the best education facilities.
“I was informed that a total of RM3.2 million, of which RM1.5 million is from the state government, has been successfully raised so far with the cooperation of the Old Teresian Association, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), School’s Board of Management, private corporations and members of the general public.
“This has clearly shown the importance of the unending support from everyone and members of the local community in making the school’s fundraising endeavor a success,” he said.
Abang Johari also assured that the state government would give its full support to help St Teresa’s Secondary School to rebuild its school hall and the classroom blocks.
The school’s hall was burnt during a fire on Oct 29, 2016. The hall also housed the staff room, the library, a sewing room, living skills workshop, music room, counselling room, Surau, toilets and printing room.
The rebuilding of a new hall, which would began in December this year, would include a four-storey administration and classroom block with an estimated cost of RM3,551,795.
The three-storey multipurpose hall block would cost another RM4,675,596.40 to build, making the total estimated project cost RM8,227,391.40. The school is still short of about RM4.5 million.
SMK St Teresa will continue to organise fundraising activities for the projects. — DayakDaily
