PARIS 13 Mac - The hopes of some 450 students and over 40 teachers
of SMK Sukau near here to have new classrooms and facilities were dashed when
the approved project was revoked early this year for unknown reasons. The
dilapidated secondary school was initially allocated with about RM30 million to
put up new buildings and upgrade its facilities under the Ninth Malaysia Plan
(9MP).
Sukau Assemblyman
Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (pic), who disclosed this, said he was very
disappointed that the funding meant for the project at SMK Sukau was cancelled.
"SMK Sukau is
truly in dire need of help and immediate assistance from the respective authorities
to provide conducive and comfortable learning facilities to the rural students
and teachers.
"Although the
proposal to construct new concrete buildings for the school has been made since
early 9MP and approval for the allocations was approved several years later,
until now the aspiration to provide quality education facilities to the
students has not become reality.
"The school
has been in existence for many decades and now it is in bad shape as the wooden
buildings are fragile and not in good condition which cause discomfort to the
students and teachers," he said.
Saddi said this at
the presentation of school uniforms and bags to 100 students of SMK Paris by
the Rural Development Corporation of which he is chairman.
Also present were
SMK Sukau Principal Albert Bayoi, the school's Parents Teachers Association and
the community leaders here.
Saddi questioned
why the project was cancelled when a site for the project has been provided by
the local communities who are concerned for their children who are going to the
school.
"I have
repeatedly highlighted this issue at the State Legislative Assembly to seek
immediate attention and sympathy from the Federal Government through Datuk
Masidi Manjun who is in charge of education matters in Sabah," he said.
Saddi said he has
decided to personally meet Deputy Prime Minister-cum- Education Minister Tan
Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as his last resort to resolve the matter.
"I will meet
Muhyiddin soon and I have faith in him to tackle the crucial issue as he is a
leader who always fights for the future of our children's education in the
country," he said.
Source : www.dailyexpress.com.my