Govt to ensure 30 dilapidated schools restored this year
SANDAKAN: The State Government will ensure ongoing efforts to restore 30 dilapidated schools in the State with the prefabricated Industrialised Building System (IBS) will be completed by this year.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman said it is the government’s concern that these dilapidated school buildings are completed on schedule.
“The government is concerned about the need for comfortable teaching and learning environment for both students and teachers in this State, especially in rural areas.
“Therefore, we are urging appointed contractors to complete these IBS projects on schedule so the students and teachers are able to learn and teach in a good environment,” he said.
Musa said the State Government is waiting for the allocation to build several schools that have been approved in this district.
“We are waiting for the allocation for the approved school building projects, namely in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Batu Sapi 2, SMK GumGum, SMK Libaran and Sekolah Seni Malaysia.
“Upon receiving allocation, we hope the construction projects will start as soon as possible,” Musa said at the Teachers Day Celebration and Excellence Service Award presentation for Sandakan Level at the SMK Merpati hall yesterday.
Also present were Head Sector of Valuation and Examination of State Education Department Haji Bad Hamid Bin Haji Musli, Assistant Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Haji Zakaria Haji Mohd Edris, Elopura assemblyman Datuk Au Kam Wah, Sekong assemblyman Datuk Samsudin Yahya and Sandakan Education District Officer Sh. Mahada Sh. Attar.
Speaking at the ceremony, Musa praised the effort and contribution by educators in teaching children in schools.
“I believe teachers play an important role in the schoolchildren’s lives, not just by becoming their teachers but also as their motivator and as administrators of the schools,” he added.
In the ceremony, Musa had presented the awards of “Tokoh Guru” to two retiree teachers - Mr Alias Darman and Mrs Khor Meng Keow - for their achievement and contribution in education.
A total of 350 teachers from schools in Sandakan also received excellence service awards while 20 retiree teachers received appreciation awards.