AN additional eight schools in Penang will receive a total of RM1.15 million from the Education Ministry for upgrading works, according to Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying.
This comes as part of the ministry’s efforts to improve infrastructure.
Lim, who is also the Tanjong MP, announced this during her visit to SJKC Beng Teik Cawangan in Jelutong, her third stop in her second straight day of visiting schools in Penang today.
Yesterday, she had already announced the approval of RM820,000 for seven primary schools, bringing the total allocation to RM1.97 million for 15 schools.
The schools benefiting from today’s allocations include SJKC Beng Teik Cawangan (RM170,000), SJKC Moh Ghee Cawangan (RM150,000), SJKC Phei Shin (RM150,000), SK Jelutong (RM120,000), SJKC Jelutong (RM100,000), Kolej Tingkatan 6 Hj Zainal Abidin (RM190,000), SK Jalan Hamilton (RM120,000) and SMK Jelutong (RM150,000).
Lim explained that the funds would be utilised for various needs, such as roof repair, window frame repair, new electrical wiring, meeting room upgrade, toilet renovations, and the replacement of plastic chairs with stainless steel benches.
“My ministry’s goal is to ensure that school infrastructures are safe and comfortable for both students and teachers. They will receive their allocation in a week or two,” Lim said in her speech at SJKC Beng Teik Cawangan.
She revealed that there are 81 Chinese primary schools and 22 Tamil primary schools in Penang. Out of these, 74 Chinese primary schools and 19 Tamil primary schools have applied for maintenance assistance from the Ministry of Education (MoE).
Government-aided schools, including SJKT, SJKT, and missionary schools, will receive at least RM50,000 for infrastructure maintenance while government schools will receive RM70,000 each for toilet maintenance.
Lim topped up with additional aid for them with varying amounts, depending on the applicants’ needs.
Lim assured schools that did not receive the requested funds not to be disheartened and encouraged them to reach out to the Ministry of Education, state education departments, state governments or Members of Parliament for further assistance.
During her visit to SJKC Beng Teik Cawangan, Lim was given a tour of the school, accompanied by its school principal Lee Ee Ee, board cum alumni chairman Tan Eng Keong and other board members.
Also present at the ceremony were former Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, Hirudin Mohit (BPSH deputy director of the student affairs management sector), Huzainmi Ghazali (Senior chief assistant director, Penang Education Department), Mohamad Zawawi Ahmad (northeast district education officer), Penang Island City Council councillors Tan Soo Siang, Nicholas Theng, and Rohaizat Hamid.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian