KOTA PADAWAN, Oct 30 — All rural schools in Sarawak earmarked for repairs will also get laboratories for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in the process, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg today.
He said none of the schools in Sarawak’s interior currently have such facilities.
“So, how can we expect our rural students to be good in mathematics, physics and other science subjects, if the (rural) schools do not have the laboratories?” he asked at the opening of the new Sekolah Kebangsaan Landeh here.
Speaking to reporters later, the chief minister stressed that such facilities were critical if students were to excel in the areas.
He added that Sarawak Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin and the state Education Department were currently discussing the scope and costs of the exercise.
Dilapidated schools that are beyond repair will also be demolished and replaced, while centralised schools will be built to accommodate students from under-enrolled schools, he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced a RM1 billion to upgrade and repair dilapidated schools in Sarawak in Budget 2018.
