RM25mil to upgrade 156 schools
THE Education Ministry has allocated RM25mil to be distributed to 156 national schools in the country.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan said that the funds will be used for maintenance and upgrading purposes in schools, and will be based on each school’s needs.
The schools, he said should manage the allocated funds wisely.
He was speaking after presenting a RM400,000 cheque to SJK (T) Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, recently.
He said the funds were an additional contribution from the ministry, which had earlier provided the school with RM1.5mil.
“With a total of RM1.9mil, the school will have 12 classrooms as well as other facilities. The school currently has 289 pupils and 25 teachers but will have the capacity to take in about 400 pupils. “Construction is expected to be completed by November.
“I’m sure the improved facilities will make the environment more conducive for pupils to perform better, both academically and in co-co-curricular activities,” he said.
Also present at the event were Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan, Socioeconomic Development of Indian Community (Sedic) Education and Youth Section director Datuk Nagaiah Velu, school headmistress Theve Devi Ramasamy and its PTA chairman Dr Mohana Dass Ramasamy.
“The focus should be on what benefits the pupils and also the teachers. Upgrading the canteen or even the school office is a necessity, but an additional carpark shouldn’t be,” he added.
The schools, which had earlier requested for funds will receive allocations based on their needs and priority.
Kamalanathan also spoke about the ministry’s purpose in coming up with its list of ‘hotspot’ schools.
The intention is not to shame the schools, but to identify those that need more or urgent attention.
“Schools that made it to the list are not all problematic schools, some are just located in high-risk areas, where students can be easily influenced by the wrong crowd,” he said.
He said that the ministry has partnered with the police and armed forces, Health Ministry, as well as the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to help handle and curb bullying cases.
“Parents instead of relying on the authorities, should also take the initiative to work together with the authorities to solve social problems, only then will there be better outcomes,” he added.
He also expressed the ministry’s condolences over the tragic deaths of 24 people at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz, a private religious school in Jalan Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur.
Kamalanathan who said the school is not under the purview of the ministry, described the news as “upsetting” and “shocking”.
“I was shocked and sad to hear the news. On behalf of the ministry, I wish to record and express our deepest condolences to the family and each person affected,” he said.