‘Sto�� bickering�� let’s start work on dila��idated schools’
MIRI: The Sarawak and federal governments are urged to stop bickering and work together to upgrade dilapidated schools in Sarawak with the RM100 million funding from the Ministry of Education.
Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee thanked the federal government for the muchawaited allocation.
“Now is the time for us to deliver, rather than talking about how many dilapidated schools there are or how much should be given.
“Let us work with whatever (amount) we have and from there, we will move on to resolve other issues,” he said when met after the opening of SMK Lutong’s Innovative Exhibition held in conjunction with the school’s Science and Technology Carnival yesterday.
The principal Michael Bus and chairman of its parent- teacher association ( PTA) Cr Misiah Brodie were also present.
Rapaee added there was no need
Now is the time for us to deliver, rather than talking about how many dilapidated schools there are or how much should be given. Let us work with whatever (amount) we have and from there, we will move on to resolve other issues. Dr Annuar Rapaee, Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research
for argument or politicising the matter as everyone already knew about the problem of dilapidated schools in Sarawak.
“Now t h at the f e de r a l government has given us this amount ( RM100 million), so we need to work on that amount of money to the best we can,” he said.
He added that the Sarawak government would put aside political differences and work toget her wit h t he federal government to resolve the issue of dilapidated schools in Sarawak.
“There is no need to blame one another or pointing out who is right or wrong, or why this (dilapidated schools) is happening.
“The money is there, so let’s work with the money and then we move on.”
Meanwhile, on the carnival, Rapaee said it was a good way of inculcating interest in science and technology among the students.
“Many students are afraid of entering the science stream. That is why we provide free tuition to Form 4 and 5 science stream students, to prevent them from leavin.
“Science is very important and we cannot run away from it. For example, we do not have enough doctors and so we rely a lot on doctors from the peninsular.
“This carnival is a great way to encourage innovations and creative ideologies among students,” he said.
Meanwhile, 10 schools including a higher learning institution are taking part in the two- day exhibition which ends today.