Education Ministry secures funds to power Sarawak schools for 10 months

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry has given assurance for schools in Sarawak that are depending on diesel to generate electricity supply will not be sidelined.
Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching said the Finance Ministry has approved a budget and authorised the state Education Department to address the issue.
She said the decision was made after an emergency meeting has been held with both ministries.
"I urge the authorities to inform us immediately if there are any schools that still do not have diesel," she told reporters here today after the hand over flag ceremony to the National Sports Council in conjunction with the 10th Asean School Games (ASG).
She was asked to comment on some 371 schools in Sarawak which are still without electricity supply and are fully dependent on generator sets.
Earlier, Education, Science and Technological Research minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong confirmed that the state Education Department has just received a directive on June 20 from the federal Education Ministry and Ministry of Finance authorising a direct purchase of diesel of up to RM20,000 per month at a ceiling of RM200,000 for 10 months for each school.
"The district education offices have been empowered to direct appoint suppliers. One supplier for one school and the maximum of RM20,000 per month at a ceiling of RM200,000 for 10 months," he told a press conference at the media centre after his winding up speech at the State Assembly Sitting today.