PUTRAJAYA: The first batch of lockers in schools will be installed at the end of this month, says Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin.
He said the ministry was hoping the entire allocation for the initiative would be disbursed by October.
“The first phase (of locker disbursement) will be for Year One and Year Two pupils of schools with two sessions,” he said after meeting senior editors here on Monday (Sept 5).
Radzi had announced the locker system in March to address the issue of heavy school bags.
An allocation of RM37.3mil had been set aside for the initiative which involves providing lockers for a total of 323,186 lower primary pupils from 10,662 classes.
The second phase of the initiative is expected to start next year, when it will be extended to Year Four, Five and Six pupils in double-session schools.
Radzi added that the ministry was improving the quality of infrastructure and teaching staff to address the stigma of schools that were viewed as “low performing” or “not good”.
He said this would also solve the problem of those schools deemed "high performing" having too many students.
“Parents will realise that they can get the same quality of education no matter which school they send their child to.
“This will reduce the need for new buildings in overcrowded schools by maximising the capacity of nearby schools,” he said.
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“To also ensure all schools are seen as good, the ministry will be sharing the 'good' teachers and school heads among schools within (a certain) area so that all can benefit from the same quality,” he added.
On another matter, he said the installation of solar energy facilities in Sarawak schools faced many legacy issues.
“It is a complicated matter and the ministry is looking into it.” said Radzi.
A proposed RM1.25bil solar hybrid project in the state was thrust into the spotlight when Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was charged and found guilty of corruption.
She was charged and found guilty of one count of soliciting RM187.5mil and two counts of accepting RM1.5mil and RM5mil, from the former managing director of Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd, Saidi Abang Samsudin.
The bribes were to help Jepak Holdings obtain the Integrated Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Hybrid System Project as well as genset/diesel maintenance and operations for 369 schools worth RM1.25bil through direct negotiations from the Education Ministry.
