School to hold fundraising dinner on Jan 19

KOTA SAMARAHAN: The SJK (C) Kai Nang’s school board here is racing against time to raise another RM3 million for the school to start operation next year.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the Sarawak government will come in to assist by giving most of the required amount for the full completion of the new school.

“The school board said that they are still sort of money and will raise the money through a fundraising dinner on Jan 19 next year.

“Therefore, I will discuss with the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and we will pass the school board the cheque so that the school can start the new academic session which is in March next year,” he said.

He said this to reporters after inspecting the school building at its site here on Sunday.

Dr Sim, who also heads the Special Unit for Aided Chinese Primary Schools (SJKC), said the state government has allocated funding to support the Chinese schools, and RM12 million has been allocated for the Chinese primary schools this year.

“We have received another RM12 million for the Chinese primary schools next year and this funding will be used for school expansion and relocation,” he said.

SJK (C) Kai Nang school has been relocated from Sibu to Kota Samarahan, with the earth-breaking ceremony for the school’s new premises held on January 20, 2022.

Meanwhile, Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions chairman Datuk Jonathan Chai said that they are still short of about RM3 million to complete the school.

“The total cost of the construction was about RM9 million. We have received a grant of RM2 million from the federal government, and the Sarawak government has allocated RM3.7 million for the purposes of the Kuching relocation and reconstruction.

“However, the construction funds are still insufficient by over RM3 million plus. We will cover the shortfall through fund-raising from the community.

“We also do hope the majority of the shortfall will be covered by the state government, and we will raise the remaining balance,” he said.

Dr Sim (3rd left) visits the new SJK (C) Kai Nang building in Kota Samarahan while being accompanied by Chai (left)

He also said construction of the school building is physically completed but they are still in the preparatory process to obtain an occupational permit (OP) from the council as well connecting the water and electricity supply.

“We have also conveyed to the Sarawak State Education Department to prepare for the deployment of teachers and supporting staff.

“Most importantly, for staff, we need the Kota Samarahan District Education Office (PPD) to get some students to enrol and study at this school,” he said.

He also hoped the Sarawak State Education Department would also approve the preschool programme set up by the school.

“We anticipate that there will be a lot of Bumiputera students enrolling here because this is a mixed area with Chinese and Bumiputera residents.

“With the setting up of preschool, it will be a good transition for the non-Chinese students to enrol to study in a Chinese school because we will get ready for them in the kindergarten stage to learn Mandarin and there will be an easier transition for them,” said Chai.