PM Anwar Orders Urgent Intervention for Sabah School Operating in Tents

In a move that underscores the government's commitment to education, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has issued an immediate order to resolve the dire situation at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Balaban Jaya in Beluran, Sabah. The intervention comes after viral reports and social media images showed pupils forced to attend classes in makeshift tents without walls and along the corridors of a local mosque. The Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the welfare of the children, stating that such conditions are unacceptable and must be rectified without delay. He has directed both the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister's Department to fast-track solutions for the affected students.

The Plight of SK Balaban Jaya Pupils

For months, the 157 pupils of SK Balaban Jaya have been without a proper school building. The original structure was declared unsafe for use due to severe structural damage caused by ground movement and slope instability. This left the school administration with no choice but to hold lessons in temporary, unsuitable locations.

The makeshift learning environment faced several challenges:

• Exposure to Elements: Tents without walls offered no protection from the scorching tropical heat or sudden rainstorms.
• Distraction and Noise: Studying in open corridors made it difficult for children to focus on their lessons.
• Health and Safety: Learning on the floor of a mosque corridor posed ergonomic and hygiene concerns for growing children.
• Educational Inequality: Parents expressed fears that their children were falling behind compared to students in better-equipped urban schools.

Emotional Plea from Parents and Local Leaders

The issue gained national attention after Likas assemblyman Tham Yun Fook highlighted the "heartbreaking" sight of children studying in these conditions. Parents like Selva Suzianatie, whose children are in Year One and Year Five, voiced their desperation for a safer environment. While a budget of RM2 million had been allocated for a permanent building, the lengthy tender and construction processes meant a solution was still at least a year away—a timeline the Prime Minister has now ordered to be bypassed with immediate temporary measures.

Immediate Relocation and Transport Solutions

Following the Prime Minister's directive, the Ministry of Education has announced a multi-step plan to ensure learning continues in a dignified environment. The primary immediate measure is the temporary relocation of all SK Balaban Jaya pupils to SK Pekan Beluran. To ensure this move does not burden families, the government will provide dedicated transportation to ferry students to the new location.

Additionally, the MOE will expedite upgrading works at SK Sungai Nangka. This facility will eventually serve as a more stable temporary placement hub while the new, permanent SK Balaban Jaya building is constructed. These steps are designed to get children out of the tents and mosque corridors within days, rather than months, ensuring their 2026 academic year is not further disrupted by infrastructure failure.

The Role of Cabin-Type Classrooms

Local leaders had previously suggested the use of cabin-type or modular classrooms as a "quick fix." The government is now assessing the feasibility of installing these portable units at the SK Sungai Nangka site to increase capacity quickly. This modular approach is seen as a vital tool in addressing the "dilapidated schools" issue that still plagues many rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak.

Addressing the Dilapidated Schools Crisis in Sabah

The situation at SK Balaban Jaya is a symptom of a larger, systemic problem regarding aging school infrastructure in East Malaysia. Under the 2026 MADANI Budget, the federal government has prioritized the repair of dilapidated schools, but the case in Beluran highlights the need for faster execution. PM Anwar’s direct intervention serves as a warning to administrative bodies that bureaucratic delays will not be tolerated when it comes to basic student welfare.