PENSIANGAN, FEB 16, 2025: Schoolchildren of Sekolah Kebangsaan Pensiangan attend school by boat. Photo courtesy of SK Pensiangan PIBG
K9 school in rural Sabah helps secure better future for Pensiangan children
By Olivia Miwil
Pictures courtesy of SK Pensiangan PIBG/Lano Lan
PENSIANGAN: The Sekolah Komprehensif 9 (K9) concept, introduced by the Education Ministry, has proven effective in ensuring better attendance and securing a brighter future for students from rural areas.
Sekolah Kebangsaan Pensiangan Parent-Teacher Association secretary Herman Marius said the system has been in place in the district since 2014.
"The K9 concept allows students to study from Primary 1 to Form 3 under the same school,
with a single administration led by the same headmaster and senior administrators.
"The syllabus remains the same as in other regular schools," he told the New Straits Times.
Herman added that most villagers in the area work as rubber tappers, and the K9 schooling concept helps reduce educational costs for families.
He said that the nearest secondary school, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sapulut, is
about 38 kilometers away.
In their villages, residents primarily rely on boats for transportation. However, families have to pay for car transport to reach SMK Sapulut.
After a decade, Herman said that the concept has significantly improved the prospects of local
youth, offering them brighter career paths and better lives.
"Some students have pursued tertiary education in teaching, occupational safety, and sports
science, while others have found employment as a ranger, healthcare administration staff, teaching assistant, clerk, and a soldier."
As the new academic session begins tomorrow, Herman stated that students staying in the hostel will return to SK Pensiangan.
"There are 120 boarders, with the farthest living about five kilometers away. Those living nearby will typically start attending tomorrow."
Navigating the river can take several hours, especially when the water level is low, as boats must be maneuvered away from rocky surfaces.
The journey can also be dangerous when currents are strong.
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