KOTA KINABALU: For the past 16 years, students who were waiting to enter their new school building in Kota Marudu district have already finished secondary school and started working.
And yet, the promised SMK Langkon is still not yet completed, nor ready for use.
Not wanting to wait in silence any longer, Sabah Education, Science and Technology minister Datuk James Ratib visited the school and asked what the problem was.
“For 16 years, since 2010, I was told that some 650 students have been waiting in vain to study in this new school building, but the truth is, students come and go, and yet, this school is not ready,” he said.
He said the project seems to have been abandoned, with the students who have every right to enjoy a conducive study environment being the victims of this matter.
James said that students continue to have their classes by sharing facilities at SK Langkon, a condition that is neither comfortable nor conducive.
He said this matter should be given immediate and serious attention by the Education Ministry and a solution has to be proposed as soon as possible.
He added that the state and the federal government should work together to solve this matter, as it has been delayed far too long.
“Every child has the right to access safe, comfortable and quality education facilities. We do not want our younger generation to continue waiting and suffering over this delayed project.
“I will keep pushing for a solution through my ministry and through the state government,” he said, adding that it was the federal government’s responsibility to make sure that every child gets to study in a proper school.
He said full cooperation will be given to facilitate the timely completion of this school.
Also present during the site visit were Kota Marudu district education officer Halim Bidin, SMK Langkon principal Johari Bahatong, and other education department officials.
