No other way but use state funds for dilapidated schools – Abg Johari

KUCHING: The lack of funds allocated by the new federal government for dilapidated schools in Sarawak has forced the state government to step in and allocate its own funds under the 2019 State Budget for this purpose, even though education is responsibility of the federal government.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said a sum of RM81.7 million is proposed under the 2019 State Budget to be allocated to rebuild, repair and upgrade the dilapidated schools including providing water and electricity supplies.

He pointed out it was disheartening to see Sarawak’s children who have long been suffering from such poor quality condition forced to study in such inferior learning environment compared to their peers in other parts of Malaysia.

As such, he explained the state government had to step in to facilitate the development of schools in Sarawak using state fund and will continue to do so next year.

He also disclosed that the federal government through the Ministry of Finance had also not replied to the state’s offer of RM1 billion made in July to repair these dilapidated schools.

“There are a total of 1,020 dilapidated schools in the state, of which 415 are considered critically dilapidated. Education is a subject under the purview and responsibility of the federal government as enshrined in the Federal Constitution but the current state of schools particularly those in the rural schools requires our immediate attention.