Ngemah rep urges S’wak govt to provide new sites to relocate schools in landslide, flood-prone areas

KUCHING (Nov 15): Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana has called on the Sarawak government to provide new, safer sites for schools affected by geographic and environmental challenges.

In highlighting this issue, he raised the safety concern on the locations of schools such as SK Nanga Jagau and SK Nanga Balingiau in Kanowit, during his debate on the Supply Bill (2025) at the state legislative assembly (DUN) sitting today.

“SK Nanga Jagau, located on a sloping hill, is prone to landslides during heavy rain, making it unsafe for the pupils, while SK Nanga Balingiau frequently experiences flooding during heavy rains,” he said.

“The recurring floods cause significant damage to the school buildings and teaching aids, and the Education Department and local representatives often have to allocate funds to address these issues after floods.

This not only posed safety risks to the children but also disrupted their learning process, he pointed out.

Additionally, Anyi also brought up the issues surrounding the abandoned site of the former SMK Sedaya to the august House.

“The old site has been left unmanaged, with overgrown vegetation and partially collapsed buildings.

“Apart from being an eyesore, the area may attract wildlife or become a hangout for idle youths, and such conditions raise concerns among the local community,” he said, while suggesting that the site of the vacant school building be reutilised for other beneficial community projects.

He also proposed for the state government to collaborate with Putrajaya to secure funding to equip schools with proper teaching tools and facilities.

“Schools in the rural areas often face shortages of facilities and teaching materials, where this situation inevitably makes it difficult for educators to provide quality teaching in line with modern teaching methodologies,” he said.