Kiulu rural schools have tourism attraction potential, says Bangkuai

KOTA KINABALU: Schools within the picturesque Kiulu sub-district on the foothills of Mount Kinabalu may just have a potential to blend as a rural tourism attraction.

Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the countryside schools are set apart from other schools due to the unique opportunities in the area that is a prominent tourist destination.

Most primary schools - SK Kitapol, SK Mantob, SK Pahu and SK Malangang - are situated along the river and are surrounded by a lush environment, which positions them as prospective eco-tourism schools.

“Schoolchildren are used to seeing tourism activities taking place in their areas.

“There are campgrounds and hiking trails, exposing these schools to tourists who are interested in seeing what it's like to go to school in a more rural setting,” said Bangkuai, who is state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister.

“The schools can take the initiative to add value to the learning process by incorporating tourism into the children’s extra curriculum. This could involve developing projects and initiatives that promote the local areas to visitors,” he added.

Bangkuai, who is chairman of Sabah Tourism Board, said that adding tourism into a rural primary school can serve to promote the area's distinctive qualities and advantages while also raising students' understanding of the importance of tourism.

He said it would provide support for the urgent need to renovate and update facilities at remote schools to make them more conducive for pupils and welcoming places for visitors.

Bangkuai had met with the Kiulu Zone Headmasters Association led by chairman Jerome Goromon Rongot to discuss concerns and necessities required by respective schools.

Goromon had told Bangkuai that many parents had moved back to their village to run tourism businesses and that their children had enrolled in local schools.

He had suggested that for a dialogue session with the Parent-Teacher Association and the community to gather input not just about school development and infrastructure but what everyone can do collectively to boost the profile of rural schools in Kiulu.

During the meeting, the headmasters requested Bangkuai to assist in obtaining funds to improve the school canteen, the muddy road leading to the school, and fencing, among others.