KUALA LUMPUR: Several dilapidated schools in Sarawak have remained neglected for 12 years because of insufficient funding from the government, said the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin today said this was discovered during a PAC visit to four schools on Feb 5: SK Supok, SK Nanga Grenjang, SK Serabang and SK Paku Central.
She added proceedings had been conducted with the Education Ministry and Public Works Department on the matter.
"Through the proceedings, the PAC found that no action has been taken on certain buildings identified as unsuitable for use by the department.
"For example, there are buildings that have been recommended for renovation for 12 years, yet no action has been taken.
"The PAC was informed that this is because of financial constraints, which have caused the ministry to prioritise schools that are deemed more critical in terms of damage."
She said this at the Parliament media centre.
She added that the failure to resolve the issue had also resulted in additional costs, such as the construction of temporary accommodation for student relocations, increased overhead costs, time-related expenses and extended costs that needed to be borne by the government.
She said the PAC had provided four recommendations for the ministry to achieve and hoped that action would be taken to ensure all schools were in a safe and conducive environment.
"The PAC also recommends that the ministry improve planning and implementation of school maintenance programmes to reduce the number of dilapidated schools.
"The ministry must strengthen project management methods to ensure projects are completed within schedule."
The PAC has given the ministry two months for follow-up action over recommendations submitted by the committee.
