Manyin: 415 schools in S’wak considered critically dilapidated

Manyin (second left) speaking to reporters in the media room of the state legislative assembly. With him are (from left) assistant minister Dr Annuar Rapaee, permanent secretary Datuk Sudarsono Osman and education deputy director Abang Mat Ali Abang Masagus. — ZULAZHAR SEHBELEE / The Star

KUCHING: Sarawak has to address the challenge of schools that still lack basic amenities or are in a dilapidated condition over the next five years.

Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin said there were 1,020 dilapidated schools in the state, of which 415 were considered critically dilapidated.

He also said 371 schools did not have electricity supply and were fully dependent on generator sets, while 428 schools lacked treated water supply.

In addition, he said 721 schools did not have proper road access, including 200 which were only accessible by river or sea.

“We have to address this simultaneously, as some schools face all these problems.

“This is our main challenge and hopefully we can overcome all this in five years,” Manyin told reporters after delivering his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly yesterday.

On the dilapidated schools, he hoped Pakatan Harapan would honour the RM1bil special allocation approved by the previous government in Budget 2018 for their repair and upgrading.

He said this allocation was “over and above” the funding approved in the 11th Malaysia Plan for 205 dilapidated schools.

“As of today, the Education Ministry has awarded contracts worth RM419.05mil to repair 116 schools. This amount should not be from the RM1bil special allocation but is part of the 11th Malaysia Plan budget.

“As far as we are concerned, the RM1bil is still intact. We sincerely hope the Pakatan government will honour this in the interest of our children’s education,” he said.

In his speech earlier, Manyin said the state government has stepped in to facilitate the development of schools in Sarawak using state funds.

He said the state government recently approved state funding for the relocation and rebuilding of SK Ulu Segan in Bintulu and SK Maludam in Betong, costing RM40.1mil and RM48.2mil respectively.

“These two schools are critically dilapidated and prone to frequent flooding. The actual cost will depend on the tender price,” he said.

He added that 67 schools were being repaired and upgraded with a budget of RM21mil under the state’s rural transformation initiative.

“The works in some of these schools has commenced and is expected to be completed by next year,” he said.