Manyin to meet state reps Sept 6 on merging schools with low enrolment
SIBU: Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong will be meeting all state elected representatives on Sept 6 to gather ideas on the proposed merging of schools with low student enrolment.
The one-day meeting in Kuching will also involve district education officers (PPDs), he said.
“All the YBs ( elected representatives) have been invited together with the PPDs to attend the meeting on Sept 6. I am meeting them on Sept 6,” Manyin reiterated.
He was speaking to reporters from The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo when met after officiating at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Sibu branch’s 32nd Pearl Anniversary Dinner here on Saturday.
Manyin was asked if a date had been fixed for the proposed meeting, following his recent disclosure that he would be meeting all state elected representatives to gather ideas on merging schools with low enrolment of students.
The minister said during the coming meeting, he would explain to the elected representatives and PPDs about the low enrolment schools.
“We have 651 of them (schools) with less than 150 students. And we have 1,004 (schools) with less than 300 students. So, all these schools cannot actually perform, especially (those with) below 150 (students) because we do not have enough resources.
“Secondly, the Education Department cannot send specialist teachers (to these schools). So as a result, all the primary schools which are small don’t perform as well, especially in Maths and Science (subjects). This is because sometimes, the Maths and Science subjects are taught by the English or Bahasa (Malaysia) teachers.
“So, the teachers cannot be blamed for it because they are not trained but they are forced to teach. So, this is the matter that I have to explain to the YBs; we want to — small schools if possible —merge them together and to make possible at least 150 (students) per school,” he pointed out.
He noted that there were a number of very small schools, including those with less than 20 students.
“So, when you have less than 50 or 100 students, firstly, there are not enough resources; secondly, no qualified teachers are there; and thirdly, there is no competitive environment. As a result, the students cannot perform.”
Manyin added: “On the other hand, in big schools in town, there can be three or five teachers for one subject, so they (teachers) can be grouped together and decide amongst themselves what is the best way to teach and so, they have all the benefits.”
On science, technology, engineering and mathematics ( STEM) subjects, he said the national target is 60 per cent – meaning 60 per cent to take up Science subjects and 40 per cent to take up Arts subjects.
But this has yet to be achieved at the national level while in Sarawak, only about 23 per cent have taken up Science subjects, he noted.
He attributed this to having not enough resources, schools which are too small and also the fact that most primary schools do not have laboratories.
“What my ministry is thinking is that we want to put in one district, maybe one school with a lab so that the other schools can also go there, to start with,” he said.
DBNA Sibu branch chairman Jimmy Hendrick Kijan also spoke at the function.
At the same function, Manyin also announced a Minor Rural Project ( MRP) grant of RM20,000 for DBNA Sibu branch.
Also present were Kanowit District Officer Katis Noel Nyabong, representing the Sibu Resident, Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (SPRM) Sibu chief Jutim Nyagam, ASP Herman Rakey (OCS Sibu), head of narcotics IPD Sibu ASP Rahim Mihos, DBNA Sibu branch advisor Mejun Abang and Councillor Joshua Jackson representing political secretary to Chief Minister Romeo Christopher Tegong.