SIBU: Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn says constructing a special school for the hardcore poor will be a substantial expense, costing over RM50mil.
“Priority should be given to repairing dilapidated schools, which is a more cost-effective endeavour,” he stated in response to a question about the Ministry of Education Malaysia’s plan to establish special schools for hardcore poor students.
The Sarawak Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development made these comments during a press conference following the opening ceremony of the Dual Language Programme (DLP) Sarawak Level 2 Training on today (Aug 14).
Regarding the construction of the Yayasan Sarawak International School in Sibu, Sagah mentioned that it is anticipated to commence this year.
“We are aiming to initiate the construction this year and complete it within two years, similar to the timeline for the Semenggoh school.”
The project, situated at the old airport runway, was initially planned to start in 2020 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The school is intended to accommodate 500 students, with 80 per cent of them coming from the B40 group, which represents economically disadvantaged households.
The school’s purpose is to provide free education for B40 students, while a 20 per cent quota will be reserved for non-B40 students who will have school fees.
Shifting focus to the DLP Sarawak, now in its fourth year of implementation, Sagah affirmed the Sarawak government’s commitment to offering financial support to cater to basic needs, including training, teaching, and learning materials for Science and Mathematics teachers involved in the DLP classes.
“To enhance implementation, the government has provided teaching and learning resources to all primary schools implementing DLP Sarawak.
“These resources encompass National Geographic learning materials, Teacher Guide Books, and Student Activity Books, which have been effectively utilised in the classes.”
DLP Sarawak is a programme designed for schools to teach Science and Mathematics in English. It aligns with the Sarawak government’s aspiration to advance the state’s economy and achieve developed status by 2030.
