Use IBS to speed up rebuilding of dilapidated schools – MP

MIRI: The Pakatan-Harapan ( PH) government should seriously look into the proposal of utilising industrialised building system ( IBS) to speed up efforts to rebuild dilapidated schools in Sarawak.

Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni said as things stand, there are currently about 1,020 schools classified as ‘dilapidated’ in the state, of which 375 are in critical condition.

“Most of the affected schools are made of wood and are exposed to fire hazards. There is an urgent need for us to replace these old schools with modern building structure to make them a safe place for the students, teachers and support staff,” he said Thursday.

He was commenting on the need to enhance fire safety features at schools in the state, particularly in rural areas.

For his constituency, Lukanisman said there were at least 10 to 13 primary schools which had been proposed for rebuilding under IBS.

During the parliament sitting on Wednesday, he received a positive reply from the Education Minister on the status regarding the effort to rebuild new school buildings under IBS for SK Kita Niah and SK Sepupok Niah in Sibuti, which had been approved by the previous federal administration.

He said he was informed that both projects – approved under the second rolling plan of the 11th Malaysia Plan – are now under pre-building stage conducted by the Public Works Department (JKR) of Sarawak.

He disclosed that for SK Kita Niah, the project costs RM43.2 million comprising the construction of 12 classrooms, 10 units of teachers’ quarters, a hostel and other facilities.

For SK Sepupok Niah, the project cost is RM30 million for 36 classrooms, six units of teacher’s quarters and other necessary facilities.

“My hope is that the PH government could expedite the effort to solve similar problems faced by other schools.

“When a fire breaks out at a rural school, it is tough for the Fire and Rescue Department to reach the location due to factors such as distance, poor road condition. Some of the areas are not even accessible by road.

“That is why we should provide schools with modern building infrastructure in an effort to prevent untoward incidents such as fires.”

He also expressed his sadness and extended his condolences to the family of Catherine Janet Tiwi, who died while trying to save two fellow teachers during a fire that struck their quarters at SK Batu Bungan in Mulu early Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau shared Lukanisman’s opinion that the PH government needs to speed up efforts to rebuild dilapidated schools in the state.

He also suggested that fire safety and awareness programmes be intensified, especially amongst rural folk, to minimise the risk of loss of property and life during a fire.