KUCHING: The Kuching High School (KHS) Rebuilding Committee is calling on all the communities associated with KHS to play a part in its rebuilding project.

Padawan Municipal Council chairman Tan Joo Phoi, who is also a KHS Rebuilding Committee advisor, said the rebuilding project still required another RM5.5 million. The total cost of rebuilding is estimated at RM6.4 million.

“The amount of money that KHS needs to raise can be achieved with the support from members of the various channels and the public. It would help the school to make the dream come true,” said Tan during the KHS Fundraising Night at the school’s multi-purpose hall on Friday.

He was confident that contributions would come in from various channels such as the Kuching Teochew Association, KHS Ex-Highians Association, KHS Parent-Teacher Association and members of the public.

KHS’ administration block and Junior Science Block were razed by a fire on Dec 2 last year.

The fire destroyed the school’s library, science labs, administration office, conference room, storage room and toilets.

“I hope the rebuilding project of the school would be completed as soon as possible so that it can provide a conducive environment for students to study in the school,” said Tan.

Earlier KHS Rebuilding Committee chairman Kuek Eng Mong said it would be an uphill task to raise the RM5.5 million.

He said the school had received RM900,000 from the Kuching Teochew Association.

“It’s the vision of all the community in KHS including the school board of management to enable students here to have a comfortable place to study.

“The spirit among students and teachers here is geared towards excellence and the school’s board of management would like to continue it this way,” said Kuek.

Meanwhile principal Ivor Emmanuel Lim said KHS produced a lot of high achievers for last year’s Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR).

He said KHS is one of the best schools in Sarawak and hoped the KHS community would stand together rebuild the school.

KHS was established in 1962 by the Kuching Teochew Association.

It was formerly known as Min Teck Middle School and was the venue for Chung Hua Middle School and Chung Hua Middle School No.2.

The school has its first intake in 1963 with 830 students in 25 classes.

Currently the school has more than 1,700 students.

KHS has also become the training ground for many Chinese-medium primary school teachers and is a major recruiting ground for teachers.

The board of management continues to provide Mandarin lessons as part of its mission of passing on Chinese culture to the younger generation.

Members of the public who wish to donate to the KHS rebuilding project can contact 082-242457, fax 082-423508, or visit the Kuching Teochew Association office at 30J-K, 1st Floor, Tabuan Road.