The low enrollment in Sarawak rural school is affected by change in demographic patterns in rural Sarawak, said Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Dr. James Masing.

Masing said in  the 60s & 70s the rural population was widely scattered, and Sarawak government, in its effort to spread education to rural populace, had to built more schools for remote communities.

“As demographic pattern change due to better accessibility, the remote resettlements moved to town centres, thus depriving the rural area of its population and the students to fill the schools. The federal government’s reluctance in giving the needed resources to improve rural schools in Swak aggravated the situation. The government did not feel the need, understandably, to put resources to the low enrolled schools and the parents are reluctant to send their kids to the dilapidated schools. Thus, the situation spirals downward,” he added.

Calling it a chicken and egg situation, Masing said the Sarawak government thus moves to invest its resources to improve rural schools and the consolidation low enrolled schools is the only way forward which is like ‘pulling the bull by the horns’.

He asserted that  the Sarawak government will  bill the federal government on the cost to improve its schools.

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