KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat was told today (March 12) that repairs on 375 dilapidated schools have yet to start.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said 216 projects are still in the pre-construction phase, and 694 have already been completed.
"I am aware of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) proceedings. The Education Ministry (MoE), through its secretary-general, has provided explanations and cooperation so that the PAC can produce a comprehensive report."
He was responding to Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaijman (Perikatan Nasional-Sik), who asked if budgetary obstacles prevented remedial work on dilapidated buildings.
Wong added that the number of dilapidated buildings in the ministry's system changes according to the scale of repairs.
"For example, a school may be graded as level six, but then changed to level five once maintenance is carried out."
A level six school is considered unsafe.
"There are some buildings that can no longer be maintained so the Works Department classifies the building as dilapidated.
"However, the ministry is committed to ensuring that the welfare of schoolchildren is taken care of," he said.