Students deprived of space for extracurricular activities, says Manyin
KUCHING: Schools that have double sessions — morning and afternoon — are a hassle not only for the students but the school itself as well.
Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong said such schools were still a problem in Sarawak.
“In Sarawak, there are about 66 schools in total — 41 secondary schools and 25 primary schools — that still apply to the double sessions (system).
“In Bintulu, there is one school that has about nearly 3,000 students. That’s like a number for a university,” he said in an exclusive interview with New Sarawak Tribune.
In Sarawak, double session schools are located in Kuching (five primary, seven secondary), Samarahan (one primary, three secondary), Padawan (three primary, seven secondary), Serian (one secondary), Bau (three secondary), Sibu (two primary, five secondary), Mukah (one secondary), Kanowit (one secondary), Kapit (three secondary), Miri (eight primary, four secondary) and Bintulu (six primary, six secondary).
Manyin said this had led to the problem of lack of space for students and teachers to perform any academic duties at their respective schools.
“It will be tough as there won’t be any space to perform activities such as curriculum and extra classes. This is due to the lack of classrooms in the school itself.
“In order to fix this issue, it requires at least RM3 bln to RM4 bln…and to get rid of the double sessions,” he said.
Manyin said the state government could not add more schools in future due to education being under the jurisdiction of the federal government and only the federal government could fix this problem.
At the moment, there are neither plans nor allocations for more schools next year.
