KOTA KINABALU: Students in the rural Kiulu constituency need help from the Education Ministry to expedite the construction of SMK Nabalu to enable more enrollments in the area.
In calling for immediate attention from the Federal government, Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the construction of the school should not be delayed any longer considering that a site had been identified and confirmed to be safe.
"How much longer do we have to wait for the construction of the school," he said when officiating at the SMK Tun Fuad Stephens Parent-Teacher Association’s (PTA) annual general meeting in Kiulu on Tuesday (July 26).
“Having SMK Nabalu will undoubtedly help relieve the issue of overcrowding in nearby schools and ease the congestion that occurs when new students enrol,” added Bangkuai who is also the state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister.
Present were school principal Awang Seman Ag Tahir and school PTA president Koolin Kook Kiong.
On Jan 28 this year, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin visited Kampung Giok near Pekan Nabalu in Kiulu to check on the construction site for the school and announced that the construction had been included for implementation under the Third Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
SMK Nabalu was initially constructed at a nearby site in 2012 but was ordered to stop two years later after the site was deemed to be unsafe.
The Minerals and Geoscience Department, among other related agencies, have assessed the new ground and determined it to be a safe and viable location for the construction and development of the school.
Bangkuai also urged the relevant parties to expedite the process of building the Sabah Credit Corporation-funded hostel for SMK Tun Fuad Stephens.
Meanwhile, Bangkuai, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah information chief, also encouraged students who will soon be eligible to vote to arm themselves with knowledge of current issues.
He said the young people now have the responsibility to familiarise themselves with critical issues and the current political landscape of their state and country following Undi18's implementation.
“We live in a borderless world that provides a wide range of news. This is a test for our children to determine what is true and what is not.
“I want our children to think critically about the world around them and hopefully, make the best decision.
“At the same time, it is the responsibility of both parents and teachers to guide our young people in order for them to have a better understanding and establish their own perspective,” he said.
Later during the event, he donated RM5,000 to the school for purchase of two air-conditioning units.
He also pledged to contribute to a fund set up by SMK Tun Fuad Stephens to reward students who score straight As in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia examinations.
