Express restoration for school buildings

BAU: Some 30 dilapidated school buildings in Sarawak will be restored using the prefabricated Industrialised Building System (IBS) this year.

Education Director-General Tan Sri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof said the 30 projects would incur a total cost of about RM90 million.

He said, so far, six projects had been completed since April this year while the rest are still in progress or put up for tender.

He also said the service of the same contractor and same consultant had been used to implement the projects using the IBS.

“The advantage of using IBS is that it is faster, while at the same time it still maintains its technical quality.

“Because it takes a shorter period to complete the project, the cost is lower. But most importantly it gives big impact to the children and teachers of the school.

“In two months the teachers and children can have new buildings and classrooms ready for use,” he told reporters after a walkabout at the IBS project at SK Serasot here yesterday.

Khair said the cost of each project using the IBS depended on the number of units, classrooms, special rooms (bilik khas), offices or toilets and other facilities to be built.

He said for SK Serasot, the project components comprised six classrooms in a two-storey building and one science room, which cost about RM2.3 million and was completed in two months.

Khair said, last year, some 20 projects for dilapidated schools in the state were implemented using the IBS.

Asked if any new similar project would be implemented in Sarawak, he said they would have to refer to the State Education Department on which school buildings should be given priority.

Aside from SK Serasot, other schools to undergo the upgrading and restoration using the IBS this year include SK Grogo, Bau; SK Selepong, Sri Aman; SK Kampung Alit, Kabong; SK Mangut, Betong; SK Ulu Sungai Merah, Sibu; SK Kampung Lintang, Lawas; SK Tabut, Lubok Antu; and SMK Meradong, Bintangor.

Also joining the walkabout were Tasik Biru assembylman Dato Henry Harry Jinep and State Education Department director Rakayah Madon.

Seated from second right: Khair, Henry and Rakayah listen to a briefing during the walkabout at SK Serasot in Bau.

SK Serasot pupils in Bidayuh traditional costumes are seen during Khair’s visit with the new IBS-built school building in the background.