The boarders of SK Punan Ba have occupied one of the dormitories completed by Irok Industries Sdn Bhd.
KUCHING: Despite missing two deadlines, the dormitories of the primary school at Punan Ba (SK Punan Ba) were completed in time for the boarders at the start of the new school term.
According to a District Education officer 120 students moved into the newly completed hostels when school reopened on Jan 3.
Meanwhile, Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Ugak Kumbong , who recently visited the school, said the dormitories were impressive and furnished with all the proper facilities.
Thanking the Education Department for making the project its priority, he said though the project was delayed, the contractor was able to complete it in time for the new school term.
“My concern was for the students. The students there really need the dormitories ready for the new term as all of them are boarders.
“Some of the boarders stay near the school but there are others staying further away.
“And during raining season like now, it would be very dangerous for them to travel daily in longboats to reach the school,” Ugak told The Borneo Post yesterday.
SK Punan Ba is situated two hours boat ride from Belaga town. It serves Punan Ba and six other villages within its vicinity.
The verandah of the girls’ hostel collapsed on Jan 31, 2012, injuring 18 pupils, five seriously.
Following the accident, the boys’ dormitory which was also in very poor condition was deemed unfit for occupation.
After the accident, due to the lack of space and facilities at SK Punan Ba, only Primary Six pupils were allowed to stay as boarders while the rest of the students were sent back to their homes.
For the Primary Six boarders, the girls were housed temporarily at the headmaster’s and school teacher Ariffin Madon’s quarters while the boys were put up at the Sebiro building beside the school.
In view of the urgent need, the Education Department disbursed an emergency RM2 million fund for the two dormitories to be built.
To speed up the process, the contractor Irok Industries Sdn Bhd decided to use light weight pre-fabricated concrete slabs to cut down construction time.
The first deadline set was in March 2013.
However, due to the lack of building materials the deadline was extended to August 2013.
According to Irok Industries Sdn Bhd Alexander Asing Sadai, the two hostels were completed in October, 2013 and handed over to the Education Department in November.
Alexander added although the project was two months behind the last deadline the dormitories were completed within budget and according to all specifications.
“At the end of the day, we are happy that we had put all effort in to make the dormitories a conducive, decent and comfortable place for the students.”
