SIBU: Petronas-sponsored ‘Asrama Harian Luar Bandar’ project at SK Orang Kaya Muda Pakeri in Paloh, is expected to be completed this August.
As of this month, the project which is aimed at providing access to education for communities in coastal areas of Sarawak, is 53 per cent completed.
The project is a collaboration between Petronas, the state government and state Education Department with a cost of RM2.8 million.
“Providing access to education is one of the most important strategic interventions that Petronas has done and this Asrama Harian Luar Bandar project will provide the opportunity for Malaysians in particular Sarawakian children in Paloh to pursue education in a conducive learning environment,’’ said Petronas senior vice president, group human resource management Datuk Raiha Azni Abdul Rahman.
She was met by pressmen when visiting the project site at Kampung Paloh, which is only accessible by boat from Sibu and Tanjung Manis, on Saturday.
Raiha said Petronas allocated RM420 million to education and human capital development in Sarawak from 2014-2019 alone, under the Sarawak government-Petronas Joint Working Committee initiative.
Apart from Asrama Harian Luar Bandar in Paloh, the projects implemented under the initiative included five Trust Schools, sponsorship of 244 students at three Maktab Rendah Sains MARA schools in Sarawak, Vocational Institution Sponsorship & Technical Assistance (VISTA) at selected vocational institutions as well as the ongoing construction of a new MRSM in Bintulu.
The existing wooden hostels at SK Orang Kaya Muda Pakeri, built in 1985, is in a dilapidated state, infested by termites and can only cater to about 56 students.
The new hostels – one for male and one for female students – can accommodate up to 120 students.
The construction of the new hostels was awarded to a Sarawak construction company, EPR (Kuching) Sdn Bhd in February 2018.
The hostels will be equipped with facilities such as administration office, dining hall, sick bays for male and female students, two warden rooms, showers, toilets, washing areas, kitchen, kitchen store and a surau. – Bernama
