THE Penang government has allocated some RM8.368 million to assist 124 Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC), Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK), mission schools and independent Chinese schools in the state.
Usually, the representatives of the schools would be invited to receive the allocation, but due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the amount would instead be channelled to the respective school management boards or the Parents and Teachers Associations (PIBGs) after all the necessary documents are submitted.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the annual initiative by the Penang government could help schools under the said categories to upgrade and renovate existing facilities within their premises, as well to build new ones if deemed necessary.
He said that the total amount allocated this year was RM8.368 million, whereby RM6.368 million would be for all the SJKC, SMJK and the mission schools, while the remaining RM2 million would be for the independent Chinese schools.
“A total of 88 SJKCs, 12 SMJKs, five independent Chinese schools and 19 mission schools will benefit from this initiative.
“Out of the RM8.368 million, RM4.16 million is for 88 SJKCs, RM1.518 million for 12 SMJKs, RM834,000 for 19 mission schools and RM2 million for the five independent Chinese schools,” Chow said during the brief handover ceremony in Komtar today.
Chow thanked all the relevant parties for making the annual initiative a success.
He hoped that the schools would use the allocation for the benefit of the students and teachers.
“The pandemic has given us a string of challenges on different levels.
“To all the teachers, the school management board and the PIBG, you play a very important role to ensure that teaching and learning processes are not affected during this trying period.
“Keep up the good work and continue to inspire and motivate students to excel in academics,” he added.
Penang Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng said that payment would only be made to schools if and only when a particular upgrading, renovating or building project commences.
“This is to avoid any unforeseen circumstances. Once a particular project starts, the school will need to also prepare reports to update the work progress,” Chong Eng said.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud