14 Kapit division schools in need of repairs

KUCHING: Fourteen schools in Kapit, Song and Belaga with dilapidated buildings have been identified for repair works.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak has ascertained the works to be done at a cost of RM2.2 million in the division.

“Currently, work has begun on five primary schools and two secondary schools,” he said in a statement after visiting the Kapit District Education Office to get the latest information on the condition of schools in Kapit that are in poor condition and in need of repairs or reconstruction.

Nanta, who is also Kapit MP, said that the District Education Office informed that there are 49 schools in the district, with 45 of them being primary schools and the remainder being secondary schools.

“I also visited the SK Kampong Baru Kapit project, which has been classified as a sick project due to the contractor’s failure to complete it on schedule.

“The contract with this contractor has been terminated, and I understand that the process of appointing a new contractor could take up to a year,” he said.

He said the situation is causing concern among parents, who will have to wait even longer before their children can return to this school.

“I met with the contractor’s representative and expressed my dissatisfaction with their work, which has caused hardship for many, especially the students.

“Although this project is under the state government, as the local representative, I hope that the steps to be taken by the PWD Sarawak and the Ministry of Education regarding this school will be the best possible and will help to complete the project as quickly as possible,” said Nanta.