KOTA KINABALU: “It is pitiful to see pupils studying in classrooms without lights and fans.”
This was what Gary Ling, owner of a shop selling solar-based items, said about SK Terian pupils who had to go without electricity during extra classes at night.
Pupils from three interior schools in Penampang, including SK Terian, rely on night classes to catch up with the school syllabus.
When Ling saw the SK Terian pupils studying in the dark, he approached the non-governmental organisation Osimal Foundation to connect him with other schools affected by the same power problem.
“I saw SK Terian teacher Melvin Simon’s post on Facebook (about the problem).
“The pupils should have light even though electricity supply is not available.”
The New Straits Times met Ling after he handed over several solar-powered ceiling lights and fans to representatives from SK Terian, SK Longkogungan and SK Buayan.
He said he would consider helping other institutions as students should have a conducive environment to study.
Melvin, who is also a warden at SK Terian, said the classrooms depended on solar panels for electricity, but power supply would be affected if it rained.
“We have pre-charged lightbulbs as backup. But it is not the same as reading under normal lights.
“Even if there are facilities for students, if there is no electricity, the children will lose interest in studying,” said Melvin, adding that night classes were conducted from 7.30pm to 9pm.
He said in 2015, SK Terian teachers approached a private company to build a hostel for pupils.
He said parents and teachers forked out their own money and resources to provide food for pupils who stay at the hostel before the government approved food allocations.
He said a neighbouring school, SK Buayan, improved its Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) results significantly after introducing night classes for pupils and SK Terian aimed to emulate that.
SK Terian achieved a 100 per cent passing rate for the UPSR from 2017 to 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
“We are grateful for the lights and fans for the classrooms. We hope more companies will come forward to contribute,” said Melvin.
Source: New Straits Times
