It takes five years to get a school ready, says Wee

KUALA LUMPUR: Construction of new Chinese primary schools can begin next year as long as the necessary approvals have been obtained on time, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The MCA deputy president said the standard time needed to build a Government school was five years – two years of planning and three years for construction.

“With cooperation from local authorities and barring any unforeseen circumstances, the new schools should not take longer than this period to complete,” he said.

Dr Wee was speaking to the press after hosting a two-hour meeting with developers and a technical committee, comprising land surveyors, civil and structural engineers, town planners, architects and quantity sur- veyors, at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

Representatives from 11 developers attended the meeting.

The Education Ministry had announced its approval for 10 new SJK(C) and relocation of six micro SJK(C) last week.

Yesterday’s meeting set the ball rolling by briefing the developers on the next steps to be taken on land matters.

Dr Wee, who also chairs the Malaysian Chinese Education Consultative Council, said it was difficult to specify the completion time for the schools.

“Site conditions differ from case to case. If the developers can get the cooperation from relevant departments and utility companies, then the process can be expedited,” he said.

Dr Wee said the board of directors for the 10 new SJK(C) and the construction committee of the six schools to be relocated would be formed this month.