SIBU: Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek has called on MPs in Sarawak to continue raising the issue of dilapidated schools in the state, urging for swift restoration efforts.
Chieng expressed deep concern after reading the distressing news on Monday (July 24) about Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s plea to the federal Ministry of Education to fulfil its promise of releasing funds to repair the dilapidated schools in the state.
“It is disheartening to see our children suffering in poor-quality conditions and forced to study in such inferior learning environments,” he stated during the presentation of the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) study incentive awards ceremony at SMK Methodist here on Tuesday (July 25).
A total of 25 students were awarded cash incentives for their outstanding results in last year’s STPM examination.
Chieng revealed that this year, he allocated at least RM50,000 of Rural Transformation Project (RTP) funds to all 13 schools in his constituency for maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.
He also allocated RM100,000 to SMK Methodist for the installation of LED panels in the school hall.
He stressed the significance of the “Excellent Student Academic Incentives” programme, which celebrates and rewards exceptional achievements of students who excel in their SPM/STPM/UEC examinations.
Chieng sees it not only as a celebration but also as recognition of their hard work, dedication, and pursuit of academic excellence.
Earlier, school principal Philip Ling Swee Nge shared that a total of 78 candidates sat for STPM 2022, and SMK Methodist achieved an overall Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) increase of 3.04 compared to 2.97 in 2021.
Among those present was SMK Methodist Board chairman John Ting Sik Kang.
