KUCHING: The Ministry of Education (MOE) is working with the state government to ensure that rural schools in Sarawak receive electricity by connecting them to the power grid.
Deputy Education Minister I Muslimin Yahaya said based on the assessment carried out by the Sarawak government through Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), a total of 128 schools were located less than 1km from the main electricity pole.
“A total of RM50 million has been allocated for this project, which is implemented in several phases,” he said in response to a question from Senator Rita Sarah Patrick Insol who wanted to know what the ministry’s targeted period was for connection of electricity supply from the main grid to SK Dijih, Selangau, in Parliament on Monday (Sept 7).
He said for Phase 1, the project started in October last year and connection to the grid for 15 schools was completed in February this year.
“While for SK Dijih, it will be implemented under the next phase and it will be finalised by SEB.
“However, if it is not implemented by SEB within the stipulated time, the MOE will implement it under the genset (generators) maintenance and diesel supply contract that is being implemented by JKR.”
He added that in total, there were about 350 schools still facing electricity supply woes in Sarawak.
“Out of the 350 schools, 128 schools will be implemented by the Sarawak government involving an amount of RM50 million.
“…while another 95 schools will have electricity through a solar hybrid system project to be implemented by JKR through an allocation from the MOE.”
