Rep gives out Yayasan Sarawak educational incentive vouchers
SKRANG: Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnichal Rayong Ngipa on Saturday presented Yayasan Sarawak educational incentive vouchers of RM200 each to 24 deserving pupils at SK Issu Bangat Lidong here.
Ten of the pupils are from SK Issu Bangat, seven from SK Nanga Lidong and another seven from SK Nanga Enteban — all within the Skrang area.
Rayong, on behalf of the pupils and their parents, expressed his gratitude to Yayasan Sarawak’s concern for the welfare of the people.
“I am sure Yayasan Sarawak’s gifts will benefit the pupils and their parents to ease some of their financial shortcomings or burden when putting children to school. The funds may be not much but enough to motivate the pupils to study diligently,” he said.
Yayasan Sarawak representatives led by Abang Azrianto Abang Bohari were present to witness the presentation of the vouchers.
Rayong also advised the parentteacher associations ( PTAs) of the three schools to work closely in upgrading pupils’ academic performance.
Rayong said he wanted to see the standard of English language in the schools improved and that teachers and pupils would be able to speak in English.
“I want to see all these three schools to be a model for other primary schools,” he said.
At the same function, Rayong approved a Minor Rural Project ( MRP) grant of RM10,000 to SK Issu Bangat to upgrade whatever is necessary and also to cover the cost of taking their pupils for trips to any institutions of higher learning so as to motivate the pupils to study diligently. Rayong also advised the headmaster of SK Issu Bangat to replace the zinc roof of the school.
“Estimate the cost, and let me know. I will use the government RTP ( Rural Transformation Programme) fund to finance it,” said Rayong.
Earlier on, Rayong witnessed a fire drill conducted by a team from the Betong Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) to show teachers and pupils of the three primary schools how to use fire extinguishers more effectively in the event of a fire.
Present at the drill was Betong Bomba senior officer Judi Numpang.
He then suggested Bomba to upgrade their firefighting pumps and equipment and also to make sure that the fire hydrants have constant supply of piped water and are fault-free.
He said ever since he was elected as Engkilili assemblyman, six longhouses were gutted by fire which he believed could have been saved if the distress calls to the Bomba station were made fast enough or if the fire station had reacted immediately.
He also said he received reports that sometimes fire hoses were not functioning and water pressure was low.
“I even witnessed it myself at Pelasok and Enteban when Bomba could not save even parts of the buildings,” he lamented.
“And as for the teachers and pupils of SK Issu Bangat, SK Nanga Lidong and SK Nanga Enteban, if there is any outbreak of fire in your school, I think there is not much you can do. Just call the nearby Bomba for immediate help. Run away from the site for the sake of your own safety,” Rayong advised.
Rayong also advised the teachers and pupils to be on guard at all times and also to make sure that buildings are free from faulty electricity wiring by asking Bomba to conduct regular inspections.
“Call for repairs if you see any leakage of current from faulty wires,” he told them.
Also present at the function were Special Affairs Department officer Edwin Ancheh who represented Lubok Antu MP Datuk William Nyalau Badak and state administrative officer Ludan Lintong who represented Betong Resident, heads of government departments in Betong, UPP Engkilili secretary Councillor Nyambong Mawing, longhouse chiefs, parents and teachers.