NSTP Provides Assistance To Rural Schools In Matunggong

MATUNGGONG, July 5 (Bernama) -- The school children of Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan (SRK) Lajong, near here have more than one reason to cheer.

The former missionary school received RM10,000 for the purchase of computers from the New Straits Times Press (NSTP) at a ceremony officiated by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

When told by the school's Parent-Teacher's Association that pupils would be drenched by rain whenever there was downpour during classes due to the dilapidated roof at one of the blocks, Dr Ongkili decided to donate RM20,000 for the school to do the much needed repairs.

Dr Ongkili witnessed the presentation of a mock cheque for RM10,000 by NSTP Harian Metro Group Editor Datuk Mustapha Omar, who represented the NSTP, to SRK Lajong headmistress Rosemary Sinongkuan.

At the same ceremony, the NSTP also presented the same amount for computer purchase to SK Sungai Magandai in Tandek, presented to headmaster Juanadi Masadong.

Dr Ongkili said education was one of the six National Key Results Areas and that the government was putting serious attention on the infrastructure as well as the school curriculum, as part of the transformation plan.

However, it would take time to fulfil the needs of each school due to limited resources and allocation, hence, this was where the NGOs and private sector could come together to assist, he said.

Dr Ongkili lauded the media for doing their bit to assist the underprivileged as part of their corporate social responsibility.

He said that the Sabah Journalist Association (SJA), for example, had helped build a school for Kampung Sungai Magandai in 1996 after the plight of the children there was highlighted in Parliament.

"SJA undertook to build a small school there. The school, which was later taken over by the government, has enabled Kampung Sungai Magandai to produce its first university student at University Malaysia Sabah, Labuan," he said.

Kampung Sungai Magandai is home to 20,000 people from the Sonsogon ethnic group.