Back to school: Dr Mah (second from right) speaking with teachers at the school in Gemencheh. — Bernama
TAMPIN: Pupils of SJK(T) Ladang Regent in Gemencheh near here can finally move into their new school five years after its completion following the greenlight from the Education Ministry. Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon announced the good news at the 88-year-old school when he turned up for a visit yesterday.
He then proceeded to the new school located nearby and handed over the certificate of practical completion (CPC) to the headmistress, P. Navaneetham.
“Since I was made deputy minister in 2020, my team has had five meetings with the relevant parties to find ways to expedite the CPC approval for the school.
“In fact, I had sent six memos, asking for the progress and when the school would be ready,” he said when met after a tour of the school.
Dr Mah said the construction of the RM8.5mil school started in Aug 2014 and completed two years later.
However, the handover was delayed due to problems such as the need for a new access road and water supply as well as the movement control order enforced due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is my hope that the pupils will benefit from the more conducive learning environment.
“Once we issue the school code, they can move here,” he said.
Dr Mah said the ministry has also issued certificates of practical completion to four more schools, namely SJK(T) Jalan Tajol in Kota Tinggi (Johor), SJK(T) Bandar Sri Alam in Pasir Gudang (Johor), SM Agama Chuah in Port Dickson (Negri Sembilan), and SJK(C) Bukit Fraser in Shah Alam (Selangor).
When asked, Navaneetham noted that the staff and pupils were looking forward to moving into the new and bigger school.
“The 251 pupils are sharing classrooms due to a lack of space,” said the headmistress, who has helmed the position for more than 10 years.
State MIC chief Datuk L. Manickam said he had also asked for Dr Mah’s assistance to expedite the awarding of the CPC to SJK(T) Ladang Saga in Rantau and SKJ(T) Ladang Simpang Pertang in Jelebu.
