Najib a fun person, say Pekan Telipok students

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KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is a fun person, said students of Pekan Telipok.

Form Four ukelele player Elwin Crystal said that she thought he was a serious man until she got a chance to speak to Najib.

 

"I was nervous when he came over to our side while we were singing and playing the ukelele. Then when he spoke to us, it turned out that he is actually friendly and nice," she said.

 

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Elverienna Michelle said she was nervous and her heart was pounding when the prime minister approached them.

 

"I only see him on television and he always seemed fierce but meeting him face to face proved my impression of him wrong," she said.

 

Apart from speaking with students, Najib also took the chance to try out the ukuleles as part of his visit to the school.

 

The new buildings of SK Pekan Telipok and SMK Pekan Telipok opened for operations on Feb 20 and houses primary and secondary school students.

 

Najib said the concept of the two-in-one schools is interesting and is part of the government's efforts to improve the standard of education in Sabah.

 

He said twin-sharing schools would allow students to share the amenities available.

 

The schools, SK Pekan Telipok (RM18mil) and SMK Pekan Telipok (RM31 mil) were built as the old buildings were dilapidated and lacked many basic facilities.

 

In the new school buildings, SK Pekan houses 704 pupils, 43 teachers and 13 classes while SMK Pekan houses 837 students, 58 teachers and 28 classes. 

 

The old building of SK Pekan Telipok was built in 1963 while SMK Pekan Telipok was built in 1989.

 

Also present during the event were Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and deputy chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.