A SECONDARY school in Johor Baru is set to replace its ageing perimeter fencing and gates with a RM150,000 grant from a local leader aimed at bolstering security.
SMK Taman Pelangi Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman Mohamad Bakhtiar Mohamad Yusof expressed gratitude to Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir for the timely assistance.
“The school has three gates, and the one situated near the field has been severely compromised by land erosion and landslides over the years,” he said.
“The damage, which extends to the surrounding fences, was largely caused by the school’s proximity to a drainage system, where continuous soil movement has led to significant erosion.
“When there is heavy rain, the water levels rise and the soil washes away,” he said, adding that the existing structures were over 20 years old.
Speaking after the school PTA meeting, Mohamad Bakhtiar said the funds would be used to reconstruct more than 300m of fencing.
The project, he said, was also intended to shield the school from wildlife.
“The damaged gate and fence have allowed stray dogs and monkeys to enter the school grounds, posing a risk to the safety of students and teachers.
“This has been a persistent issue over the last few years. We hope the upgraded structure will finally resolve it.
“We are prepared to proceed once the funds are channelled through the relevant authorities and approvals are finalised.
“In the meantime, we are carrying out minor repairs where necessary to maintain safety,” added Mohamad Bakhtiar.
The school, he said, had received RM20,000 contribution from Akmal Nasrullah last year to refurbish a staircase at one of the school’s entrances.
“The staircase was about 18 years old and lacked proper handrails, making it hazardous for students.
“Following the upgrades, the staircase is now much safer for daily use,” he said.
Earlier, Akmal Nasrullah, who is also Economy Minister, presided over the PTA meeting.
He said the allocation was approved to help the school address urgent safety concerns and prevent further incursions by wild animals.
“I was informed that the damaged fencing and ongoing soil erosion had raised serious safety worries, as breaches in the boundary allowed animals to enter the compound,” he said.
“After inspecting the site, we agreed to approve the allocation to repair the fence.
“This ensures parents can feel confident about their children’s safety, allowing teachers to focus entirely on education.”
During the event, Akmal Nasrullah presented a mock cheque for the RM150,000 grant as well as handed out awards to the school’s top Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) achievers.
