KOTA PADAWAN: SMK Tun Abdul Razak has seen significant infrastructure improvements over the years, including the construction of new hostels, science laboratories and academic facilities, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the learning environment for students.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah said the school, which has a student population of about 1,500, has undergone several phases of upgrading to address earlier issues involving dilapidated facilities.
“I was in this school before. The old buildings are still standing and they are very strong, but the newer blocks at one time were in very dilapidated condition,” he said after officiating at the First Day of School 2026 programme at the school here on Monday (Jan 12).
He said the Sarawak government has since built new hostels as well as science and academic laboratories to improve teaching and learning conditions, particularly for science-based subjects.
Responding to questions on the rebuilding project linked to Padawan Road, Sagah said construction was progressing well and was in fact ahead of schedule, despite challenges posed by the current weather.
“There is no problem. Actually, it is ahead of schedule by about four per cent.
“The bad weather is affecting construction work and makes it look like it is in bad condition, but otherwise progress has been good,” he said, adding that work could have been completed faster under more favourable conditions.
Earlier, Sagah said his visit to the school was also aimed at observing students returning for the new academic year, with particular attention given to Form One students who are attending the school for the first time.
He noted that only Form One and Form Two students were present during the visit, with most of those gathered in the school hall being Form One students from surrounding feeder schools.
Sagah expressed hope that students would remain motivated and aspire towards further education, saying incentives and programmes introduced by the Sarawak government would help encourage them to perform better academically.
“We hope these initiatives will give them the encouragement and also stimulate their thinking so that they can do better in school,” he said.
