KAPIT: The construction of the new Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bukit Goram here is expected to provide a more comfortable, safe and conducive learning environment for students, teachers and school staff, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Nanta, who is also Kapit MP, said the project represents a major investment in education development in the interior and reflects the government’s commitment to improving educational facilities for rural communities.
“For the people of Kapit, a new school such as SMK Bukit Goram brings renewed hope for children in the interior, that they too deserve good educational facilities, on par with other areas,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook following a briefing and visiting the project site for the construction of the new school.
According to the briefing, the project involves the construction of a new secondary school comprising 36 classrooms and various facilities built according to standard specifications.
Among the facilities planned are administration and academic blocks, a secondary special education integrated programme (PPKI) block, canteen, school hall, surau, vehicle waiting area, covered walkways and other supporting amenities.
The project will be implemented through the design-and-build method on a site spanning about 7.189 hectares.
Nanta stressed the importance of close monitoring to ensure the smooth implementation of the project, particularly in terms of planning, scheduling and coordination among the relevant agencies.
He said such efforts are crucial to ensure schools in rural areas are able to stand on par with those in urban centres.
He said that the project is part of education initiatives under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and will be carried out through an open pre-qualification cluster tender process to ensure better coordination in procurement and implementation according to the stipulated timeline.
“I will continue to follow the progress of this project and bring the voice of the Kapit community to ensure its implementation runs smoothly, transparently and truly benefits the school community as well as local residents,” he added.
Nanta said the government wants children in Kapit and other rural areas to study in an environment that gives them the space to dream big and the opportunity to achieve those dreams.
