‘Classifications of dilapidated schools comprehensive’
SIBU: The three categories of classifications used to define dilapidated schools in Sarawak are comprehensive, where schools in need of urgent repairs are professionally identified for remedial actions.
According to Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, professional inputs are sought from both the Education Department and Public Works Department (JKR).
“So, I am actually very confident that what has been done in terms of classification of dilapidated schools in Sarawak – it has been done professionally as the input (on the classifications of dilapidated schools) is not only from Sarawak Education Department but also from JKR.
“The three categories of classifications that we use – to me, is actually good enough for us to identify which schools should be given priority (for repairs)” he said when contacted by thesundaypost yesterday.
Dr Annuar, who is Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health, said there are 395 schools under category one of dilapidated schools, 210 under category two and category three has 415 dilapidated schools.
He was responding to Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching’s recent statement that the Education Ministry was in the process of reviewing the definition of dilapidated schools nationwide.
Teo had said the effort had to be made to enable all agencies under it to use the same definition.
“It has to be done so that we can use the same criteria to determine which particular project needs to be given priority.
“There were several criteria that were taken into account including the location and also the provision of dormitory and teachers quarters. These are indeed the criteria to be considered,” she said during the oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat sitting recently.
On this, the Nangka assemblyman remarked: “It has come to my attention that the Ministry of Education has mentioned that it will review the definition of dilapidated schools. Well, to me, it is their prerogative – whatever definition they want to use in the future.
“But be mindful that, it should not cause any delay in any form of budget allocation or initiatives to repair and rebuild dilapidated schools in Sarawak. In other words, it (the new definition) should not become a reason for delaying the repairs and rebuilding of dilapidated schools as conditions are worsening.”
Moreover, he said the longer the waiting time is, the more costly the building materials will be.
“But if the ministry wishes to review the definition of dilapidated schools – which school in Malaysia or overseas will they be benchmarking against,” Dr Annuar asked.