Encik Hadi Pauzi, the Principal of SMK Merapok

Out of a total sum of RM26 billion allocated under the 8 th Malaysia Plan for educational purposes, RM678 million was channelled to Sarawak.

SMK Merapok in Lawas, Limbang Division was completed in January 2005 at a cost of RM48 million. The school is a day/boarder school with 700 pupils and 90% of these are boarders. There are 31 primary schools and 4 secondary schools in Lawas including this recently-completed SMK Merapok.

Although the school stared off with classes up to the fifth form only, in 2005, the school will accommodate students up to STPM level or sixth form. Situated close to the Sabah border, construction began in 2001 and its staff strength is about 50 teachers plus other administrative staff. The land area of the school is about two hectare of which one hectare comprised of the built-up area.

Due to its close proximity to the Sabah border towns, SMK Merapok is able to accommodate pupils coming from across the border in Sabah and provides educational opportunities for pupils from the surrounding villages. As the school is relatively new, the surrounding infrastructure will eventually be upgraded to compliment the school.

At present, there are no adequate road signages at the approach to the school and once the street lighting is installed, travelling to and from the school at night will be relatively safer and more convenient.

	SMK Merapok is almost a fully-residential school
SMK Merapok has the capacity to take in 1,000 pupils. STPM classes will commence in 2005