RM5 mln more needed for new school building
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman called on the private sector to join in the efforts in constructing the new RM12 million St Francis Convent Secondary School.
“Education is a necessity that should not be denied to citizens of this country,” said Musa at the Alumni of St Francis Convent School Sabah ‘Many Path, One Spirit’ 2nd Annual Reunion Dinner at Dewan Hakka here yesterday.
“It is my hope that the private sector will support this effort as education is key to nationbuilding. We continuously need resilient and able professionals, entrepreneurs and work force in order to drive the various plans and programs that the government has set in place to become a highincome nation.
“I am confident that the best and most up-to-date education facilities would be made available once the new building is ready,” he affirmed.
Musa reiterated the government’s RM1 million contribution towards the school alumni’s initiative, which is payable over four years and with the first payment made in 2015.
Recently, he said governmentlinked company GLC Sabah Credit Corporation through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program had also contributed another RM1 million towards the building fund.
“As a government that cares for the well-being of all regardless of background, we will continue to provide assistance where possible for mission schools,” said Musa.
“Each year, a sum is allocated for mission schools, apart from Chinese schools. We trust that the allocation is used well to improve on education excellence in Sabah and to instill good values among students,” he added.
The Chief Minister said this is in line with the federal Education Ministry policies, that equips the younger generation with academic knowledge, latest technology skills and the pertinent holistic education approach, which instils values such as integrity, empathy and humanity.
Musa noted that St Francis Convent School, set up in 1922 and among the first female missionary schools in Sabah, had achieved numeorus accomplishments and is still active, especially in the education sector, today.
“We should be proud that this school had produced many eminent women leaders, like Toh Puan Hajah Rahimah Stephens, Datuk Ariah Tengku Ahmad, Datuk Aminah Ambrose, Deputy Minister Datuk Rosnah Shirlin, and many others,” said the Chief Minister.
“Not only that, St Francis Convent was also famous for having produced many athletes including Datuk Ariah, Viana Majin, Cathy Jikiun, Wong Yee Ping, Wong Yee Ying, Wong Yee Ting, Rosalinda Ismail and Mazni Manjaji.
“Therefore, students who are still studying at this point, need to emulate the culture of leadership and excellence brought by seniors of St. Francis Convent as I mentioned earlier. Strive to be the best in any field of endeavour,” he emphasized.
According to St Francis Convent Schools Board of Governors chairperson Mary Florence Gomez, the construction of the school is progressing fast.
By November 2016, the building construction works will be completed and the whole contract sum of RM6,700,000 needs to be settled.
“However, we cannot stop there as we have to continue collecting funds for the external works such as the construction of the roads, drains, car park, fence and contributions to the relevant authorities and so we will need another RM5 million plus for these works so that the new secondary school can open for business by June 2018,” revealed Gomez,
The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia had also approved the project as being eligible for tax exemption till March 14, 2018, she added.
In the past, Federal Government had contributed RM3 million for the construction of the new building and Hap Seng had also pledged RM200,000 for bricks and tiles. So far, the alumni under the leadership of Datuk Aminah have fully paid their pledge of RM127,000 for the school’s future Biology Laboratory and, last night, RM78,000 was raised by benefactors of the ribbon cutting ceremony during the dinner.