By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, March 9: You don’t have to be a farmer or engineer to build your own fishpond.
What is needed is creativity and diligence to achive your mission.
The students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Agama Miri have both qualities in spades.
Believe or not, these students have managed to rear more than a hundred koi fish and goldfish inside a 50m-long ‘longkang’ or drain.
Some have compared the school to Shimabara in Japan where koi fish live in the crystal clear water flowing through the city’s canals.
According to SMK Agama Miri principal, Ahmad Fauzi Yaakob, the idea to build the DIY fishpond utilising the drain came up when he was looking for ways to inculcate and enhance self-discipline and positive attitudes amongst students three years ago.
“I was surprised with the feedback that I received when I told them about the idea. The response was overwhelming,” he said when met recently.
He recalled, that it took them a few months to complete the project, and eventually it turned out well despite some hiccups.
“At first, we stocked about 15 koi and goldfish inside the drain….and now the number has multiplied to more than 100,” Ahmad Fauzi revealed.
He added, the base of the drain was first cemented before the fish were introduced and most of the work had been done by the students.
It comes as little surprise that for that reason, the school has become an attraction for visitors from other schools, even from outside Sarawak.
Ahmad Fauzi attributed the success of the project to his students and teachers for their relentless work ethnic and efforts. — DayakDaily
