Fadhlina and Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah view an exhibition at SMK Agama Limbang.
LIMBANG (May 8): The Ministry of Education (MoE) will conduct engagement sessions with local communities before proceeding with plans to establish cluster schools in northern Sarawak in response to floods disrupting the schooling calendar.
Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the consultation process is essential to gauge the views of affected communities, respect local sensitivities, and ensure that educational priorities are properly addressed.
She said the proposal to establish cluster schools as a solution to recurring flood disruptions required parental consent and was already on the ministry’s radar for consideration at the policy and needs levels.
“I heard the views raised by the Yang Berhormat earlier on cluster schools, and those views are in line with what we are already looking at within KPM (MoE). But at the same time, I believe there are several stages of engagement sessions that must first be completed. Because in pursuing cluster schools, we also need to take into account the views of the local community, who are very attached to their schools and have deep sensitivities about them.
“So, the engagement sessions are being carried out by the policy division. I believe the intention is already clear enough. At the same time, we are mindful of sensitivities and educational priorities. These are being considered at the policy level and are within our radar as we look at how to resolve the related issues,” she told reporters during a visit to SMK Agama Limbang on Thursday.
On the need for new primary and secondary schools in northern Sarawak, Fadhlina said applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
“We receive requests from the District Education Office (PPD) and the State Education Department (JPN), which are then elevated to the ministry level. From time to time, there are requests and our division is prepared to look into those needs. So do not worry — if there is a genuine need, these matters will be considered according to necessity and urgency,” she said.
Fadhlina said the ministry is currently focusing efforts on expanding preschool access in the region.
“There are two preschools we are committed to completing by no later than June 2026 — at SMK Agama Limbang and SK Bandar Limbang — to meet the demand for the coming year, particularly in relation to preschool education,” she said.
The renovation and upgrading of one preschool classroom at SMK Agama Limbang is expected to be completed in June, while the construction of two new preschool classrooms — one for the Inclusive Education Programme (PPKI) and one mainstream class — at SK Bandar Limbang is targeted for completion this month.
