SMK St Teresa gets another RM500,000 from Sarawak govt
KUCHING: SMK St Teresa rebuilding project received additional RM500,000 from the Sarawak government after Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong announced the much welcomed contribution on Friday.
The latest amount brings the total contribution from the state government to RM2 million.
Manyin announced the good news at the ‘Let’s Rebuild St Teresa’ Grand Dinner 2018 gathering held at a leading hotel here. He represented Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the event.
Various fundraising activities have been organised after a fire on Oct 29, 2016 destroyed the SMK St Teresa hall which housed rooms for staff, sewing, music, counselling, prayer and printing, a library and toilets.
The rebuilding project, estimated to cost over RM8.2 million, includes a four-storey building comprising the administration and classroom block as well as a three-storey multipurpose hall.
Prior to the announcement, the school rebuilding committee was said to have raised RM3.29 million.
Abang Johari in his speech read by Manyin said he was touched and impressed with the spirit of cooperation and commitment shown by the students, staff, parents, school board of management and Old Teresian Association in their various efforts to raise funds.
These activities included ‘Save SMK St Teresa’ Nite’ dinner, aerodance, The Rise Concert, String Concert, The Promise Cruise, Sonorama Concert, ‘Save St. Teresa’s School Run’, ‘Let’s Rebuild St. Teresa’s Charity Run, Zumba fitness party and mini food sale.
Noting the amount raised thus far, the Chief Minister said: “This has clearly shown the importance of the unending support from everyone and members of the local community in making the school’s fundraising endeavour a success.”
Abang Johari pledged to support the plan to continue upgrading the facilities and infrastructure at SMK St Teresa given its 133 years of history.
“The school’s physical facilities are of utmost importance to ensure the comfort of students and teachers during the process of learning and teaching.”
He said he had been informed that the notice of tender for phase one comprising the administrative and classroom block of the project had been published, and that the construction is to commence next month.
He added that this phase would take about a year to complete.
“I sincerely hope that the construction will be smooth and completed on time so that our students and teachers will not have to make do with their makeshift place anymore,” said the chief minister.
Among those present were SMK St Teresa principal Mary John, Archbishop of Kuching the Most Rev. Simon Poh and ParentTeacher Association chairman Thomas William Suip.