Forgotten school, ‘abandoned’ pupils

KOTA KINABALU: Some 612 eager beaver primary school pupils are cramping themselves in nine wooden classrooms in SK Gentisan in Sepanggar because the State Education Department has conveniently forgotten that they exist.

The school, which is not far from bustling Kota Kinabalu, was built in 1965 and has seen no upgrade since, said a shocked Sabah Puteri Umno chief Musliati Moslimin.

“The school authorities have sent several proposals to the State Education Department but have had no response from them.

“The situation in the school is critical. There are not enough classrooms and the facilities need to be upgraded.

“The school urgently needs major renovations. I fear for the safety of the pupils,” she said.

She expressed hope that officers from the State Education Department will visit the school and see it for themselves.

‘I don’t know why they have overlooked the school in the past but I hope that things will change for the better,” she said.

Musliati said the school convened two sessions daily.

“Although it is two sessions, the classrooms are still crowded and the numbers are increasing by the year.

“The current wooden building cannot accommodate the increasing numbers. We need at least another three classrooms.

“We don’t want to see these students studying in such condition. They should have a conducive environment to study and do well,” she said.