Upgrading, maintenance of schools
EDUCATION Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid has welcomed more contractors to bid for upgrading and maintenance projects in schools under PPKHAS 2017.
PPKHAS, which stands for School Improvement And Maintenance Using The Special Budget Allocations, is carried out to ensure needy schools get the repairs they need through “rapid execution, low cost and high impact”, he said in his blogpost on portal. tokdet.my.
He added that PPKHAS will focus on upgrading and maintaining the electrical wiring systems, main water tanks, fire safety equipment, termite treatment and fixing the fencing and gates.
“Every year, the ministry receives applications from schools and education institutions under us to upgrade and maintain the schools and premises. “These schools and institutions need to be improved and maintained to ensure that learning isn’t affected.
“We also want to extend the life of the school or institution, and prevent any untoward accidents that can cause death,” he added. He said that the Finance Ministry has allocated RM500mil in 2017 for this purpose.
Mahdzir said that RM350mil from the allocation has been set aside for the maintenance of national schools, fully residential schools and government-aided religious schools.
He added that 8,171 maintenance and upgrading projects have been identified after a two-month planning exercise. These projects will take place in 6,697 schools out of the 9,051 schools nationwide. Mahdzir said that this is the first time the ministry will select contractors by votes, which began on May 25.
“The ministry hopes that PPKHAS gives more G1 contractors, electrical, pest control, and fire safety contractors the chance to join this project,” he said.
However, Mahdzir stressed, the contractors are expected to deliver the best quality work that meet the specifics set by the ministry.
There can be no compromise as this involves school going children, he said.
“The safety and wellbeing of our children studying in the schools are the main priority of both the ministry and I.”