The government has allocated an additional RM10 million under the Eighth Malaysia Plan to repair dilapidated Chinese, Tamil and mission schools nationwide.

Announcing this at a press conference in Parliament this morning, Education Minister Hishamuddin Hussein said this was for schools in need of urgent repairs.

Asked if the amount was sufficient to tackle the problem, he quipped: "If the RM10 million is not enough, I will resign."

On Sept 13, the ministry revealed that up to June, 48 primary schools and 18 secondary schools are in need of urgent repair work. These include 39 national, seven Chinese and two Tamil schools.

The allocation comes in the wake of the tragic death of schoolteacher Chan Boon Heng in Kedah last week.

Chan (photo), a teacher in a Chinese primary school, died after falling through a section of termite-infested floor into the hall below.

Hishamuddin said other schools could apply for funds under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) next year.

"We will deliver the allocation immediately to the schools as we want to ensure the safety of students and teachers," he said.

He said there will be a bigger allocation for repairs under the 9MP as the bulk of the funds under the current plan has been utilised to upgrade computer facilities in schools.

The minister also warned against politicising the issue as this would lead to a delay in disbursement.

Motion rejected

In the Dewan Rakyat later, Deputy Speaker Lim Si Cheng rejected an emergency motion submitted by Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) to debate the teacher's death..

Lim said the motion did not meet the criteria of urgency because the education ministry has taken the necessary measures to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

"The ministry has issued additional allocations... Chan's death was an accident and everyone is sympathetic over this," he added.

Chong, in her motion, said the ministry, apart from allocating more money, should gather views on how to solve the problem effectively.

She pointed out that a survey carried out by a Chinese daily stated that 40 Chinese primary schools have structural problems.