Manyin: S’wak govt to rebuild SK Ulu Segan in Bintulu, SK Maludam in Betong

THE Sarawak government is taking the initiative to relocate and rebuild SK Ulu Segan in Bintulu and SK Maludam in Betong that were badly affected by flood.

Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said the ceiling amount approved for both projects under the 11th Malaysia Plan was RM73.84 million.

“The tender for SK Ulu Segan was advertised on Nov 10 this year while the tender for SK Maludam will be advertised this coming Nov 17.

“Construction works are expected to commence in January next year and scheduled for completion by Dec 2020,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) sitting yesterday.

Manyin invited Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) to participate in the tendering process of the open tender projects.

“We would appreciate it if his company can offer low price so that we can bring down the actual cost of building the schools,” he said.

Manyin also said that the chief minister hoped the schools will be used as model for the building or redevelopment of other schools in the state as the classrooms of the schools were proposed to be furnished to meet the needs of 21st century learning.

Earlier, he said flooding continued to be a major problem faced by 216 schools that are sited along river banks, especially in the rural areas.

He said in Feb and March this year, 53 schools suffered damage to furniture and equipment due to flood.

“The state government has distributed assistance amounting to RM4 million to replace damaged furniture, information and communications technology (ICT) and non-ICT equipment.

“However, such assistance does not provide a permanent solution to the problem of schools affected by flood.

“The long term solution is to relocate these schools to higher ground or rebuild the schools on stilts,” he suggested.

He further said the state is also funding the repair and upgrading of 47 schools with a budget of RM17 million under the Rural Transformation Initiatives.

Some of the these projects are currently in progress while others are in various stages of design and yet to be tendered.

“All of these projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

“The state government has also approved another 13 dilapidated schools to be upgraded or repaired with a cost of RM4 million next year,” he said.

Manyin shows his winding-up speech to (from left) Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research deputy permanent secretary Dr Abdul Rahman Deen, Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee and permanent secretary Datu Sudarsono Osman.