PENAMPANG: The focus on upgrading or rebuilding dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak will be a practical approach to bridge the education gap between rural and urban areas.
District Native Chief Brian Matasing said rural communities need all the help they can get to lift the standard of education but there are times when "big projects" will not provide the solution.
Brian was referring to the RM1 billion allocation proposed for each Sabah and Sarawak to upgrade or rebuild dilapidated schools in the 2018 Budget.
"This approach to reach out to the schools in need, most of which are located in far flung areas, is reasonable and practical because it can bring quick results," he explained.
Brian said to wait for big schools to come to rural areas will take years and moreover most rural schools are under-enrolled.
"This would mean there would be a need to consolidate the small schools and most of the time it would not be practical especially in rural areas where transportation is a hindrance."
"Here in Penampang for instance, we have four rural schools that are really hard to reach. They are Longkogungan, Buayan, Togudon and Terian.
"These schools could use some upgrades to its building, maybe hostels and internet connection. These involved minimal work that can be completed fast and allow for better environment for teaching and learning," he said.
There are about 800 schools that are categorised critically dilapidated in the two states and most are under-enrolled schools in rural areas.
Julian Simiun, from Ranau said, parents like him would normally volunteer to help do repairs in the school their children go to.
"Teachers would normally engage us and ask for our help. We would normally oblige and organise gotong-royong but it would be good with additional help from the department," he said.
In welcoming the allocation, Sabah Education director Datuk Maimunah Suhaibul said; "The RM1billion budget to do repair works for dilapidated schools will definitely improve the access for quality education.”