The first centralised primary school will be built in Tebedu constituency once the federal government agrees to allocate funds for the merger of low enrolment schools (LES) in Sarawak.
Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin said the three LES which would be merged into this centralised primary school were SK Tasik, SK Gerahat Mawang and SK Kujang Sait.
“The merging of schools involves substantial amount of funding which we hope the Federal government will consider favourably,” Manyin told a press conference after delivering his winding-up speech yesterday.
Manyin, who is also Tebedu assemblyman, said it would cost RM20 mln to build a new school.
“If we are given the fund, I will start with my area and use that as a module,” he revealed, adding that 651 schools had been identified as LES schools in the state.
He added the merging of schools would need the consent of parents. Site availability, road accessibility, boarding facilities and access to public utilities were other factors which must be taken into consideration, too.
“We have identified 357 of the current LES which can be merged into 126 centralised schools, and we are waiting for assemblymen in their respective constituencies to tell us whether the people want them to be merged.
“So far, none has come forward and it could be some parents do not agree to the merger,” Manyin pointed out.
He said the success of the merger would also need the support of all the ministers and community leaders.
A low enrolment schools in Sarawak is defined as a school that has less than 150 students.
