KOTA KINABALU: Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Pekan Telipok here is the first school in Sabah with a 2-in-1 sharing model.
Slated to be visited by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tomorrow, the new facility is located about three kilometres from Telipok town.
Prior to moving to the new premises on Feb 12, the schools were operating in dilapidated buildings in Telipok town.
SK Pekan Telipok has been operating since 1963, while SMK Pekan Telipok was founded as an instant project (“projek kilat”) in 1989, and was a squatter at the primary school premises.
The new building project was started in 2009, but was temporarily halted due to technical and land-related difficulties. It was revived in 2013 before finally being completed this year.
"It has been only two weeks since we moved, and while some furniture and equipment are still being brought in, the teaching and learning process in classes are (in full swing).
"It is a vast difference from our last place. (It is) more comfortable and there is more space for both students and staff," said SK Pekan Telipok headmaster Suhaimi Abdullah.
Met at the school during rehearsals for the prime minister's walkabout tomorrow, Suhaimi said that the new premises is expected to attract more students from Telipok, Sepanggar and surrounding areas.
At present, there are 12 classes for the primary level with 43 teachers and 704 pupils; and 28 classes at the secondary level with 59 teachers and 835 students.
"At the new premises, we have 30 classrooms for SK and 36 classrooms for SMK.
"This means we can expect more students to enrol at the next intake," said SMK Pekan Telipok senior administrative assistant Jafri Idris.
The schools have their own respective canteens and libraries, but share facilities such as the main hall and sports field.