Dennis not in favour of closing schools with low enrolment
LIO MATO, Baram: Schools are not only institutions to impart knowledge and skills to the younger generation, who will be the manpower for development and progress of the community, they also inject life to the local community, says Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
He was asked for comments on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research’s plan to close schools with low enrolment after the closing of Gawai-Raya celebration and Bulan Bahasa ( Bahasa Malaysia, English and Iban month) organised by SK Lio Mato on Thursday night.
It was learned that some primary schools with low enrolment in the interior of Baram were being considered for closure by the ministry, and the affected pupils would be placed in selected schools.
“I hope and urge the ministry to reconsider the strategy to regroup rural primary schools in the interior of Baram, particularly in Telang Usan constituency,” he said.
“Rural primary schools, especially those located in the interior of Baram, continue to become a beacon of hope to villages and the local community against the backdrop of serious ruralurban migration that continues to hit every rural community, especially in Telang Usan,” he added.
Dennis feared that the nearby longhouses would be ‘dead’ or become ‘ ghost villages’ if the schools are closed down.
“No doubt that most of our younger generation are now living in urban areas due to job or business commitments, but I believe there are some with young children who are still living in the interior due to their job in the logging industry,” he said.
The assemblyman said it would incur extra cost, especially in transportation, if students are relocated to a school far from their longhouse.
“Bear in mind that most of the parents do not have fixed income and depend on farm, river and jungle produce. Furthermore, most of the schools in the interior are still inadequate in infrastructure and facilities,” he added.
Besides that, he said, the various co- curriculum activities held by the schools as part of students’ learning process such as sports, school open day and certificate presentation brought life to the community in the interior.
Commenting on Gawai-Raya celebration and Bulan Bahasa, the assemblyman said it was a good example on how a school could not only function and play a role in developing students academically, but also instil and foster goodwill and understanding among the communities.
Marudi deputy education officer Jalong Wan and SK Lio Mato headmaster Sintan Lugat were also present.