Sarawak schools to get electricity supply boost

SIBU: There is good news for schools which traditionally have to rely on generator sets for electricity as the Education Ministry has agreed to connect them to the grid system.

The Ministry has not only set aside an allocation of RM400mil for the purpose but also another RM35.74mil to repair dilapidated schools in the state.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik had posted on his Facebook account on a summary of his answer in Parliament that the government was working on electricity supply to schools in Sarawak in four phases at the cost of RM400 mil which include installing electricity grid to nearby schools as well as installing solar hybrid systems.

The RM35.74mil, he said was needed to repair and for maintenance works on 853 dilapidated schools this year.

This was also confirmed by Julau MP Larry Sng who alerted StarMetro. Larry had previously brought up the matter at the Dewan Rakyat sitting where he said that by connecting to the grid system, the government could save substantially as compared to the high cost of running generator sets using diesel of RM20,000 for each school.

He had also talked to Dr Maszlee and his deputy Teo Nie Ching on the matter which needed urgent attention.

Taking the case of 22 schools in his constituency, he pointed out that the government could save up to RM50mil in five years if these schools were connected to the grid system.

Presently, about RM50,000 is needed monthly to supply diesel to the 22 schools to run the generator sets.

“The Pakatan Harapan federal government has responded swiftly to my proposal which is good for the wellbeing and needs of students, teachers and staff of rural schools,” he said.