KUCHING: Danger lurks at a primary school in Pending here, putting the wellbeing of over 200 pupils and 30 staff at risk daily.
A retaining wall at SJKC Chung Hua Pending is on the verge of collapsing, and needless to say, parents are angry that action to rectify this is too slow.
A parent, surnamed Lau, said the school authority was informed about pebbles falling down from the wall, which is about 15m in length, three weeks ago.
The wall is constructed from a mixture of cement, stones and pebbles.
Another, who requested anonymity, said even parents themselves could be in harm’s way as they drive past the wall daily to pick up their children.
The 73-year-old school along Jalan Diplomatik faces the main road, which is at a lower level than the road.
Another parent, known only as Abby, said she had to go to school during recess just to make sure her son did not sit near the wall.
She said despite a warning sign there, “children being children, they do not realise the danger of the wall collapsing.”
Abby said she had constantly reminded her son not to go near the wall but when she was there during recess, her son was playing with friends near it.
Parents have been informed by the school authority that the matter had been brought to the attention of the Education Ministry.
When contacted by New Sarawak Tribune yesterday, Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii was shocked when shown photos of the precarious wall.
He said he visited the school a couple of months ago but was not alerted to the problem.
“I will pay a visit on Tuesday (today) and find out the actual situation and if needed, will make the necessary application to expedite repairs.
“If there is any risk posed to students and teachers, we will need to act and see what can be done immediately,” he said.
Dr Yii added that children should be stopped from going to the area immediately to prevent any untoward incident.
