This is despite a sum of RM1.252 billion being allocated to upgrade and redevelop dilapidated schools in the state.
According to Education Minister Dr Radzi Jidin, as of May 31 this year, 414 of these schools were placed in category six, meaning they were declared unsafe by the state education authorities.
He said 52 other schools were in category seven, having been been declared unsafe by the Public Works Department.
Radzi told the Dewan Rakyat today that the RM1.252b allocation under the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020) was for the upgrading and redevelopment works of 237 dilapidated schools in the state.
Other dilapidated schools would be upgraded under the 12MP subject to government financial capability, Bernama quoted him as saying.
“The ministry also uses the allocation from the Special Programme for the Maintenance of Educational Institutions for maintenance purposes, based on priorities according to the impact scale.
“For the year 2020, the maintenance allocation for Sabah is RM39.5 million,” he said in reply to a question from Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (Upko-Tuaran) on the government’s plans to solve this problem in the state.
He also queried what is being done about SMK Tun Fuad Stephen in Kiulu which has been declared unsafe.
Radzi said according to the plan, the work to repair the hostel and other facilities at the school will be completed within eight months after the procurement process.
As the hostel is not safe to use, he said the school had turned the dining hall, teacher’s quarters and classrooms as temporary hostel for 114 students.
The school is also working with non-governmental organisations to provide accommodation for 58 students in buildings close to it, he said.
“The remaining 143 students commute from home to school. The school is renovating several school facilities and identifying premises near the school that are suitable for temporary accommodation to be rented by the remaining students,” he added.
He said while awaiting the temporary facilities to be ready, the ministry would cover the cost of transportation for students commuting from home to school.
