By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, April 5: The Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions hopes the building plan for the construction of SJK Chung Hua Bako will be approved on April 22.
The Education Ministry will be holding a special meeting on that day, and the proposed construction plan is in the agenda, said the Association’s president Jonathan Chai Voon Tok.
He told a press conference today that despite the obstacles encountered in relocating SJK Chung Hua Bako and SJK (C) Kai Nang to Samarahan Division, they have all been resolved.
“Despite some disputes or misunderstandings about the relocation of SJK Chung Hua Bako, the fact is that the approval to relocate SJK Chung Hua Bako was granted by the Education Department on April 13, 2018.
“As advised by Deputy Minister of Education Teo Nie Ching, we would rather look forward rather than remain in doubt of the bitter past,” he said.
On the construction cost, Chai said the fund-raising dinner on March 29 managed to raise over RM3 million.
“Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has delivered on his earlier pledge to give a matching grant, meaning giving us RM3 million.
“So, as far as the cost of construction is concerned, we have settled that. We are now waiting for the building plan to be approved,” he said.
Chai explained that once the building plan approval had been secured, they would also need to get the nods from the State Planning Unit (SPU), Ministry of Local Government and Housing, and the Land and Survey Department.
He expects to see the new school in 2021. It would have 18 classrooms and one multi-purpose hall, among others.
“We have met the target of raising RM6 million to build the school. But we have also applied to the Education Ministry for allocation to buy new tables, chairs, set up a computer lab, science lab and other related facilities,” he said. — DayakDaily
