New sixth form centre boon for Mukim Mutaut residents

Bandar Seri Begawan - The brand new sixth form centre in Sengkurong is anticipating fresh enrolments in March or June next year, said the Minister of Education yesterday after taking a closer look at the progress of construction as part of his working visit.

The construction of PTE Sengkurong, situated in Jalan Mulaut, is now 90 per cent complete, said Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong in an interview.

"It is expected to be completed by the end of this year and with other infrastructures in place, it is likely that it will be operational earliest by March or latest by June next year," he said.

The minister added that the new sixth form centre would cater for Mukim Mulaut and its surrounding catchment areas that would bring added convenience to its residents. Currently, sixth form students residing in the mukim and its surrounding areas go to Katok Sixth Form Centre in Gadong.

"This will bring down the number of sixth form students currently studying at Katok Sixth Form Centre," the minister added.

The minister also visited Mulaut Primary School and Masin Secondary School nearby yesterday.

The minister revealed that the existing Mulaut Primary School building will be replaced with a new building which will be built adjacent to the school's field. The existing structure was built in 1976.

The existing site will be converted into a school field to be shared between the school and Sengkurong Sixth Form Centre.

According to him, the working visit was part of the Ministry of Education (MoE)'s endeavour to continuously inspect education facilities and infrastructures in the country, particularly new building projects under the National Development Plan (NDP) and under the school building improvement project - BISAI (Building Improvement of School and Infrastructure).

"We are striving to improve and provide the best education facilities for a more conducive learning environment at appropriate places," the minister added.