The Sarawak government has promised to step in to keep the lights on in 22 rural mission schools  if federal funds to buy fuel for their generators dry up in April.

Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah gave the assurance today after he was told in a meeting with  state Education officials in Kuching that such a situation could arise.

Uggah was told the off-the-grid mission schools are allocated funds only up to March and that there is no guarantee more money is forthcoming.

Uggah advised the state Education Department to write to the Education Ministry for an allocation to see the schools through till the end of the year.

“We will have to find a solution for the schools before the end of March. If by March there is no response, the state government will step in.

“We cannot allow the students and teachers to suffer and for classes to be interrupted,” he said.

At the same time, Uggah said he will instruct the state Education, Science and Technological Research Ministry to try to get 17 of the 22 schools connected to the state grid by March.

He said there is a state fund for it

“Even then, we still have five more schools to help.” – January 3, 2019.