KUCHING: SJK Chung Hua Bako will move to a RM6 mln complex in Kota Samarahan near here at the beginning of 2021.
The relocation is necessary due to the growing demand for a Chinese medium primary school in the area – applicants have been turned away from nearby existing schools such as Chung Hua No 2 in Jalan Stutong because of overcrowding.
This was revealed at a press conference after a courtesy call on State Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah by the Federation of Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Serian Chung Hua Primary School Board.
Board chairman Jonathan Chai also invited Fatimah and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to attend their 35th anniversary dinner and the new school’s charity fund.
“The dinner will be held on March 29 at the premises of Chung Hua No 3 in Pending, and we will have 1,000 attendees comprising board of directors and teachers from all 56 Chinese primary schools in our care, donors as well as supporters.”
“We have secured over RM1mil in donations for the school construction and we hope, come dinner day, we will be able to reach RM2 mln,” Chai said.
“We will also be writing to the state government to assist with the fundraising and hopefully with the assistance from the state and also the federal government, we will be able to accomplish our goal.”
Meanwhile, dinner and fundraising organising chairman Roger Chan said, “The 2.48 acre school site was donated by the developer of the project, Belian Stabil Sdn Bhd, and Phase 1 will see an 18-classroom school block and a multipurpose hall, with room for growth in the coming years.”
“The area chosen is a fast growth area with approximately 2,000-3,000 homes to be built and populated just adjacent to the school site and that excludes the scores of housing development already built up along the nearby Jalan Dato Musa.”
To a question, Chan explained, “We will be maintaining the name of the relocated school (SJK Chung Hua Bako) at the new site as we usually do in the past so that the history and back story of the school can be maintained and appreciated by future generations.”
“These days we are seeing more and more Bumiputra parents opting for Chinese education with some of our schools in the Kota Samarahan and Serian areas recording up to and over 50 per cent Bumiputra enrolments,” he added.
