Safety, learning environment improved at Dalat school after upgrading works

DALAT (Feb 8): A retaining wall and repainting works at SJK(C) Yak Tee in Oya here were officially completed yesterday, marking a significant improvement to the school’s safety and learning environment.

The completion was officiated by State Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah during the school’s Chinese New Year celebration.

Fatimah said the upgrading works were crucial in addressing erosion risks while enhancing the overall appearance and comfort of the school.

“After inspecting the retaining wall, I can see that the school is now cleaner, safer and more pleasant.

“A safe and comfortable environment is essential to ensure our children can learn well and confidently,” said the Dalat assemblywoman.

She noted that although SJK(C) Yak Tee is categorised as a low-enrolment school, its continued operation remains important, particularly for rural communities where access to nearby schools is vital.

“Schools like SJK(C) Yak Tee may be small in size, but their role is significant, especially for rural families who depend on nearby schools to ensure their children receive consistent and quality education,” she said.

Fatimah added that maintaining such schools reflects the Sarawak government’s commitment to ensuring no child is left behind, regardless of location or school size.

She also highlighted the strengths of Chinese national-type schools, which provide multilingual education and equip pupils with proficiency in Mandarin, English, and their mother tongue.

“This multilingual exposure gives our children a strong foundation and a competitive edge for their future education and employment opportunities,” she said.

Fatimah stressed that continuous investment in school infrastructure, coupled with quality teaching and strong cooperation between parents and teachers, is essential for pupils’ long-term development.

“When we invest in school infrastructure, we are not only improving physical facilities, but also investing in the future of our children and the strength of the community as a whole,” she added.

During the event, Fatimah announced an allocation of RM10,000 to SJK(C) Yak Tee to support the purchase of educational equipment and co-curricular activities.

Over the years, the school has benefited from several development projects, including the construction of a riverbank retaining wall and ancillary works at Sungai Parit under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) 2022, completed last December.

The school’s basketball court was also upgraded under RTP 2019, with additional improvements including a perimeter fence and repainting works, carried out through allocations under the Minor Rural Project (MRP) between 2021 and 2025.

Also present were Dalat District Education officer Magdalene Jon, SJK(C) Yak Tee headmistress Lo Leh Na, parent-teacher association chairman Ong Sii Wei, Kapitan Ong Hock Hoon, and other community leaders.