RANAU: The Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kananapon multi-purpose hall, which was built in 1968, is in a state of disrepair.

Its floors and walls are badly damaged and in need of immediate repair, the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) head Daimon Tunggaling said.

Speaking at the school’s excellence award ceremony, Daimon said it would be better if the Education Ministry constructs a new multi-purpose hall for the school which is located about 17 kilometres from town.

“The building has not been repaired since it was built 40 years ago and in fact it is now too small to accommodate the pupils who have to sit under a makeshift tent,” he said.

According to Daimon, there are more than 100 pupils from three nearby villages, namely Muruk, Sodul and Kipaliu studying in SK Kananapon.

The current two blocks are no longer adequate to provide a conducive learning environment for the pupils and teachers, he said, adding that the school’s authorities have applied several times for additional buildings but have yet to receive any favourable reply from the state Education Department.

Daimon expressed his gratitude to the area’s assemblyman, Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin, for approving a RM10,000 allocation to build a recreation area in the school grounds.

Meanwhile District Education supervisor Sapli Sapin who attended the event agreed many school buildings in Ranau are old and the applications to repair or replace them with new buildings have been forwarded to the relevant higher authorities.

Sapli said 30 schools in Ranau would be rebuilt next year.