AMPANG JAYA, Jan 18 — More than RM500,000 has been successfully raised by SMK Taman Melawati through a charity dinner to tackle the issue of student overcrowding at the school.
Of the amount, RM100,000 was contributed by the Menteri Besar's Office and Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI, as announced by Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari during the event.
Its principal Jagdave Singh Avtar Singh said the school currently accommodates 2,524 students, with an increase of more than 100 students each year, while existing facilities are no longer able to meet current needs.
“Our main issue is overcrowding. The existing hall can only accommodate about 1,000 people, whereas the number of students in a single session already exceeds its capacity.
“The number of infrastructure facilities remains the same, including toilets, and there are also insufficient fans. Schools today cannot rely solely on government allocations and need to seek alternative sources of funding through collaboration with external parties,” he said.
Jagdave was speaking to the media after the dinner, organised by the school's Parent-Teacher Association, at the MPAJ Convention Centre last night.
Aside from Amirudin, state executive councillor for women empowerment and social welfare Anfaal Saari was also in attendance.
He added that the funds raised will be used, among other things, to build an open hall for assemblies and various school activities.
The dinner was well received, with nearly 64 tables sold and contributions from alumni, corporate companies, former teachers, and parents.
“I managed to contact former teachers who served here, who purchased dinner tables at RM10,000. There were also parents who sponsored between RM2,500 and RM5,000.
“We are making efforts through collaboration with corporate companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), alumni and parents. Last year, without a charity dinner, we managed to raise nearly RM200,000 through cooperation with external parties,” Jagdave said.
Commenting on the state government’s contribution, he said he did not expect such a large amount, given the government’s commitments to assist other schools in Selangor.
“I did not expect such a large amount because I understand that he (Amirudin) has commitments to provide funding for other schools. SMK Melawati is not a dilapidated school that requires such extensive assistance, but we are very grateful for the contribution given,” Jagdave said.
