KUCHING: Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) hopes Budget 2023 will provide sufficient allocations to restore dilapidated schools in Sarawak as well as stable internet connectivity in rural areas.
Its president Kullin Djayang said the federal government should announce a specific amount of allocation that is enough to repair and rebuild old school buildings in the state as this was a long- standing issue, which had been raised by various parties over the years.
In addition, he said, this would be in line with the sixth trust of the Education Ministry, which is to focus on efforts to renovate and upgrade schools with dilapidated buildings, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Many of our rural schools are still in poor condition, without proper infrastructure such as electricity, clean water, roads while some areas have poor or no internet connectivity at all,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
“We have heard the allocation of millions of ringgit, but the situation has not changed much, therefore we hope that the new Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and the unity federal government will keep their words and materialise their promises.
“If this matter can be overcome, it is certain that the educational gap between urban and rural areas can be reduced. It will also indirectly help teachers and students enjoy a more comfortable and effective teaching and learning process,” he explained.
Apart from that, STU hoped the government would review the teachers’ allowances in Sarawak, both in the rural and urban areas, for internet and teaching materials.
He suggested that teachers in Sarawak receive a special allowance for the internet as most of them have to use their personal internet package or data for work and teaching purposes, including updating information and data on the Education Ministry’s online system.
He added that oftentimes, teachers also have to fork out their own money for stationery and teaching aids, to create a more fun and interesting teaching and learning process
“So, we hope the government will look into the issues of dilapidated schools, internet as well as the welfare of teachers in Sarawak,” he added.
