Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said the restoration of schools using the Industrialised Building System (IBS) would be extended nationwide, starting with six schools in Sarawak.
The six schools are SK Pulau Seduku, SMK Sebuyau, SK Nanga Pua in Selangau; SK Kampung Tanam, SK Kalok Pusa in Betong and SK Abang Man Simunjan, at a cost of about RM2 million for each school.
Najib, who is also finance minister, said the pioneer project using IBS technology to restore Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Dengkil proved it saved time and the pricing was more competitive compared to conventional methods.
"With the success of SJKT Dengkil project, we will extend (restoration of schools) to other places. Following that, six schools in Sarawak have been identified to be restored using the IBS method.
"I hope the success would be seen as the sincerity of the government to improve the country's education infrastructure towards a higher level of achievements in our education system," he told a media conference after observing the results of the restored SJKT Dengkil, in Dengkil today.
Najib spent about one hour to inspect the restored buildings of the school and mingled with the students and teachers.
Also present were Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid, Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam, Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan, chief secretary to the government Ali Hamsa and Education Ministry secretary-general Madinah Mohamad.
On Oct 29, Najib conducted a surprise visit to SJKT Dengkil which has 280 pupils and 24 teachers, to look into the condition of the school and the welfare of pupils and urged the parties concerned to immediately restore the dilapidated school.
After the visit, he directed renovations to be carried out at SJKT Dengkil immediately, including the open drain, wiring system, science laboratory, canteen and resource centre, leaking roof and school parameter fencing.
Today, Najib who was happy and satisfied with the pilot project to upgrade SJKT Dengkil, said it was a special project as the success brought about transformation in such a short period of time.
"In only 40 days, the school has a complete makeover. Now it has a two-storey block while facilities like science laboratory, library, staff room were upgraded and the open drains were closed permanently," he said.
Meanwhile, Mahdzir said the restoration of six schools in Sarawak would commence as soon as the contractors were appointed.
He said the Education Ministry's officers would be going to the ground to meet and discuss with the headmasters and principals this week.
"There are about 7,000 schools in the country. The cost of repairing old and critically poor condition schools is very high.
"So, IBS technology is one of the alternatives to restore schools and it depends on the location of the schools.
"Apart from that, IBS is also certified by the Works Department as it assures the safety of students," he said, adding that that it also saved cost.
Mahdzir said SJKT Dengkil was repaired using IBS at a cost of RM1.6 million compared to conventional methods which would cost between RM4 million and RM5 million.
- Bernama
