Religious schools in poor condition can apply for maintenance allocation - Perak MB

IPOH: Applications to maintain or upgrade any sekolah rendah agama rakyat (SRAR) with poor school infrastructure can be submitted to the state and federal governments for consideration, the Perak State Legislative Assembly sitting was told today.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the applications would be evaluated by the respective district offices for approval.

"There is an annual allocation that has been set aside by the federal and state governments for (school) maintenance," he said in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Zainun Mat Noor (BN-Chenderoh) during the oral question and answer session.

Zainun wanted to know the state government's plan to develop SRAR which requires continuous attention both at the state and federal government levels.

Saarani said the state government was always in touch with the schools to obtain information on their current needs, which was coordinated by the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) and other relevant agencies.

He added that apart from providing school infrastructure development assistance, the state government also organised various courses, workshops and training for teachers and students as parts of its human capital development efforts.

A total of RM7.27 million was allocated to SRAR last year involving an allocation of RM5.55 million for per capita assistance for school management purposes (RM5.55 million), assistance for upgrading and maintenance of buildings or infrastructure (RM1.64 million) as well as Internet assistance for teachers to conduct home-based teaching and learning (RM76,700), said Saarani.

-- BERNAMA