Kundasang: The SMK Kundasang construction which began in 2021 costing RM30.8 million is now 88.75 per cent complete.
The project was given five times due to challenges at the construction site which is located in a sloping area on the path of an earthquake fault line with large rocks (boulders) which affected work.
This was revealed during a recent visit by the Ministry of Education Sec-Gen Dato’ Ts. Dr Aminuddin bin Hassim.
It is located in the highland of Mesilou, about 90km from Kota Kinabalu with a travel time of approximately two hours.
It covers 15 acres and is a full replacement construction project for the existing school which was previously boarding at SMKA Ranau since December 2013.
The total number of students, including mainstream and Special Education Programmes, is 946.
An Action Committee to restore SMK Kundasang to its original site has urged the relevant authority to expedite the rebuilding and completion of the school at its original location in Mesilou.
Committee Chairman cum Chairman of the Kundasang Ranau Tourism and Culture Association, Datuk Japiril Bin Suhaimin, said the action must be taken for the future of Kundasang’s children.
“The Action Committee urges the Ministry to review and approve the rebuilding of SMK Kundasang at its original site, while accelerating the completion of the new school in Mesilou - a dual solution to safeguard education access in Kundasang.
“Since its relocation in 2013 due to safety concerns, students have faced logistical difficulties and long travel times to temporary sites, leading to increased dropout rates,” he said.
He said as Chairman of the Action Committee, he personally handed over the formal appeal and supporting documents to Minister, Fadhlina Sidek, during her official visit to Kundasang.
Japiril said there are multiple compelling reasons to return SMK Kundasang to its original site.
“In terms of student and family welfare, long commutes (from Kundasang to the current location in Ranau) jeopardise students’ health, safety and study time, while burdening parents logistically and financially.
“The original site is still structurally sound where no major disasters have occurred over the past two decades; geo-technical reassessment can validate safe redevelopment.
“There is also a growing demand whereby Kundasang’s youth population is increasing and in need of a nearby secondary school,” he said.
He added that students deserve the same educational opportunities as those in other regions because school brings jobs, supports canteens, bookstores, transport and benefits the wider community.
Apart from that, he said a nearby school would reduce truancy and social risks, apart from encouraging strong community support, lower operational costs and so on.
“Towards that end, I fully support calls to fast-track the Mesilou school project, complete with boarding facilities and teacher housing, to ensure safe, accessible schooling while structural risks at the old site are being evaluated,” he said.
