11 dilapidated schools to receive new lease of life

MIRI: Eleven dilapidated primary schools along the Pan Borneo Sarawak Highway will soon get a new lease of life.

They are SK Paon Temaga in Lundu; SK Puak in Bau; SK Kapayang in Simunjan; SK Pangkalan Sorah in Serian; SK Kampung Buda in Spaoh, Betong; SK Engkabang in Saratok; SK Nanga Merurun in Julau; SK Sungai Buloh in Selangau; SK Sungai Setulan in Bintulu; SK Ulu Meradong in Meradong and SK Kampung Bulau in Subis.

The main contractors for the highway project’s work packages had committed to assist the state government to rebuild these schools as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The Pan Borneo Sarawak Highway’s `project delivery partner’ ( PDP), Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd ( LBU), took the lead in pledging to repair the schools following the state government’s request for help from the contractors.

The 11 schools identified for the main contractors’ CSR programme are among those categorised to be in the worst condition by the State Education Department.

There are an estimated 380 schools in a very poor condition across the state, and many of them are in urgent need of repair.

One of the schools to be adopted is SK Kampung Buda in Spaoh, Betong, which was badly damaged when erosion caused part of its compound to slip into the river in June this year.

At the launching ceremony of the eight package Pan Borneo Sarawak Highway at the Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club here yesterday, 11 contractors presented the Letters of Commitment to rebuild the schools to the respective school principals.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Sarawak’s Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem witnessed the handing over the the letters.