KUCHING: The tender for the merger of five Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) schools in Tebedu district is expected to start by year end.
This was revealed by Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong yesterday during a visit to SMK Sungai Tapang here with Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik.
They were at the school to inspect its new block that comprises 24 classrooms, all still under construction and expected to be completed by November.
When asked by the media on the SK schools merger, Maszlee said, “We already have several initiatives on the situation and it is quite challenging because there are some who are not willing to merge.”
“But with the assistance from the state government and the state education department, we have started the merger in Tebedu district with five schools — SK Gahat, SK Daha, SK Kujang Mawang, SK Kujang Sain and one more to be named,” he added.
He explained that one of the challenges to the process was people becoming emotionally attached to the schools.
“The schools there only have 10 students and when we move them to another school, they became very sentimental.”
“Rest assured that the school licence will not be stripped when this happens because several schools such as mission schools, SJKC and SJKT are worried about it,” Maszlee said.
“Any merger of schools will of course prioritise the students, teachers as well as the parents.”
When asked about the transportation and distance issues faced by some students, “It all depends on the situation, and it can be solved with dormitories,” he said.
“But if we have to look at their plans here, it will be different because they already have dormitories whereas the issue would be different for other places.”
Maszlee also mentioned that every school had its own uniqueness and not all had the same problem therefore, “we will overcome it on a micro scale and selectively.”
“The important point is the consultation and process will be taken care of with all parties involved,” and he urged the community to cooperate with the ministry and government, especially in prioritising their children’s education.
He reaffirmed that the interests of the students and teachers had always been the Education Ministry’s priority.
