Manyin: Still waiting for ministry on issues affecting schools in Sarawak
MIRI: Sarawak is waiting for further actions on issues affecting schools following the meeting with Minister of Education Dr Maszlee Malik recently, said Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin.
Manyin said this in reply to queries from The Borneo Post on the call by parents and members of the public to connect rural schools in Sarawak to the state’s power grid to do away with using dieselpowered generators to generate electricity which is expensive.
“It was already made clear in BP ( The Borneo Post) recently that the ministry is trying to resolve the issues we raised during our meeting with the minister. Wait for further actions,” he said in a WhatsApp reply.
Despite being close to the power grid, many rural schools in Sarawak still do not enjoy reliable electricity supply because they still rely on diesel-powered generators.
Manyin did not disclose any figures or schools which were proposed to be connected to the power grid though he had mentioned in the State Legislative Assembly sitting that schools near the power grid would be connected to the power line.
A case in point, as reported by The Borneo Post, is SK Long Tengoa in Ba Kelalan constituency in Lawas which is still dependent on diesel-powered generator for electricity though it is situated only metres away from the power lines.
It is among more than 40 primary and secondary schools in Miri and Limbang divisions that were hit by diesel shortage – some for more than 10 days – as the appointed contractor had fallen behind in filling up the fuel tanks due to dispute over payments on work done.
Schools in central Sarawak, including those in Selangau, were also affected.
This problem affected schools which depend on generators for running electrical appliances, water pumps and food storage.
On June 24, Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee said in Sibu that several schools in Sarawak close to the power grid had been identified for electricity connection in stages to enable them to enjoy a more stable and continuous power supply.
He said the matter was discussed at the meeting they had with Maszlee on June 22.
Dr Annuar, however, said rewiring of school buildings have to be undertaken before they can be connected to the grid system.
Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira said he had raised in the last State Legislative Assembly sitting for any school near the power grid to be connected to the power lines as a long-term measure to prevent classes from being interrupted whenever there is a problem with diesel supply.