Lee cutting strings to a sheaf of balloons to launch the walkway, alongside (to his left) Eco World Development Group Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Chan Khim Wah and EcoWorld Malaysia divisional general manager Phan Yan Chan.
Amenity provides comfort for 1,300 pupils
PUPILS at SK Seri Perling 2 in Johor Baru no longer have to wait under the hot sun or put up with the rain now that a 50m sheltered walkway has been built at the rear gates of the school.
School assistant principal (administration) Maslinda Sulaiman said that before the walkway was built, there was no shade to protect pupils in that area while they waited for school buses or when they arrived for classes.
“As the number of pupils in the school grows, so does the need for better facilities to ensure their comfort.
“Since we have about 1,300 pupils studying in two sessions each day, we have to open two gates at the rear – gates C and D – in addition to the main entrance and exit points at the front.
“However, there was nothing at those gates to shield pupils from the sun or rain,” she said.
The RM35,000 covered walkway along with sheltered waiting areas were constructed with the help of Eco World Foundation and Eco Botanic.
At the handover ceremony, Eco World Foundation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said construction was completed in August.
He said the school was one of the beneficiaries of the foundation’s special projects for schools under its student aid programme (SAP).
“Our special projects focus on basic facility upgrades that bring a positive impact to schools.
“In May, 130 schools throughout the country participating in SAP were given the chance to apply for special assistance.
“We received 43 applications and 10 were shortlisted.
“In the end, due to limited resources, only three schools were chosen and one of them was SK Seri Perling 2.
“I hope pupils will make good use of the new walkway,” he said.
Lee said the foundation’s main focus under SAP was to fulfil basic educational needs of children from less privileged families.
“SAP has channelled furniture worth RM860,000 for classrooms and canteens.”
He also urged the pupils to keep up a good attendance in school because only education could improve their lives.
