LAWAS: Rural education facilities continue to be strengthened as Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Ulu Merapok received an additional student dormitory block and four new teacher quarter units.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan who was also graced with the Ulu Merapok Zone Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri celebration on Monday.

The ceremony organised by the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) was held at the Ulu Merapok Service Centre and brought together more than 450 local residents and community leaders.

The SK Ulu Merapok upgrading project is part of the rural education infrastructure development initiative by NRDA under the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) with a total value of education infrastructure in the Lawas district amounting to RM16.5 million.

In his speech, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah stressed the importance of the implementing agency providing accurate information to the state government to ensure that the planning and implementation of the project really has maximum impact.

He also stressed that although education is the jurisdiction of the federal government, the Sarawak Government still has the right to voice its needs.

“That is why we have allocated RM160 million under the NRDA for the improvement of schools and educational infrastructure in Limbang and Lawas – because we cannot wait too long. We use our own funds for many projects,” he stressed.

He also urged heads of departments and agencies to provide honest input in the project planning process, including proposals to move the SK Ulu Merapok site to a safer location since the existing area is frequently hit by floods.

At the same event, he also called on Lawas residents to take advantage of facilities such as the Mini Service Centre and the CENTEXS Complex which are provided to help local entrepreneurs market their products and students improve their skills.

Meanwhile, NRDA Director, Datu Ubaidillah Abdul Latif said that the implementation of this project is not just about providing new facilities, but reflects the Sarawak Government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring access to quality education even in remote areas.

“This project will provide a more conducive and comfortable learning environment for students, as well as increase the morale of teachers to continue serving in Ulu Merapok,” he said in his speech.

He also informed that SK Ulu Merapok is among five schools in the Lawas area that are being upgraded, besides SK Kampung Seberang, SK Merapok, SMK Merapok and SK Kuala Lawas.

So far, he explained, a total of 161 development projects have been coordinated by NRDA in Limbang and Lawas, with 69 percent of them fully completed.

The ceremony ended with the presentation of souvenirs to the VIPs and a friendly visit session with the villagers, followed by an Aidilfitri feast.-UKASnews