THERE is no pressing need to expand Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Abang Abdul Rahman in Saratok, said Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapaee.
He said there was a 14 per cent decrease in enrolment over the past five years, with only 579 students enrolled this year.
He said the school’s area is only 1.51 hectares, whereas the minimum standard requirement to expand a school is six hectares.
“In 2019, the enrolment was 677 students. This year’s enrolment is 579, which is a decrease of 14 per cent.
“In terms of the number of classrooms, there are 24 classrooms. If we use a maximum of 30 students per class, then the school’s capacity should be 720 students.
“Although its area is small, in terms of classrooms, the capacity is sufficient,” he said in reply to questions from Mohamad Duri (GPS-Kalaka) during the question-and-answer session at the August house today (May 7).
However, Dr. Annuar acknowledged the school’s location in the middle of the town, surrounded by district offices, a municipal field, and other government buildings, and therefore welcomed Mohamad’s suggestion to relocate the school to a more suitable area.
“This proposal should be carefully considered so that the issue of the congested area of the school can be addressed,” he added.
