KOTA KINABALU: Pupils from SK Balaban Jaya who were forced to study under tents along the corridors of a mosque in Beluran are now commencing classes online.
Sabah Education Department director Datuk Raisin Saidin said the arrangement is temporary while arrangements are made for the transfer of these children to SK Pekan Beluran, located about 12km away, as well as for their transportation.
He said that as many of these pupils resided a considerable distance from SK Pekan Beluran, the department and school authorities were required to arrange transportation for them while awaiting repairs and upgrades to the school.
“SK Balaban Jaya was declared unsafe by the Works Department on Jan 16, and pupils began online classes on Jan 19. These classes are being conducted at the Kg Balaban Jaya mosque and Kg Balaban Jaya hall, with parental consent obtained on Jan 27,” he said.
However, following the latest directive from the Education Ministry on April 11, these pupils will be transferred to SK Pekan Beluran, but in the meantime, they need to continue their classes online, said Raisin.
This matter was highlighted by Parti Warisan’s Likas assemblyman Tham Yun Fook on April 10.
It was reported that the problem arose after parts of SK Balaban Jaya’s infrastructure were damaged by ground movement and slope instability, rendering the environment unsafe.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim directed immediate action to address dilapidated infrastructure at SK Balaban Jaya, which has forced pupils to attend classes in unsuitable conditions.
On Monday, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said that a total of RM52mil was approved in 2025 under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) for the reconstruction of SK Balaban Jaya, with tenders to be opened up next month and implementation expedited.
He said the approval, under the Fifth Rolling Plan (RP5) of the 12MP, is part of the government’s long-term planning to ensure safe and quality access to education for pupils in the area.
The project entails the construction of six classrooms, an administration block, special rooms and four units of teachers’ quarters, along with additional supporting facilities.
It is currently in the pre-construction phase, during which the Public Works Department has conducted soil inspections.
