More than 800 schools nationwide at risk of flooding

KUALA TERENGGANU: A total of 883 schools, including primary and secondary schools, were identified as being at risk of flooding across the country.

Education director-general Azman Adnan said they included 227 schools in Sarawak; Sabah (208); Pahang (93); Kelantan (91); Terengganu (90) and Perak (45).

He said besides that in Selangor, 42 schools were identified as being at risk followed by Kedah (23); Kuala Lumpur (19); Johor (19); Penang (15); Negri Sembilan (10) and Melaka (one).

In this regard, the department has taken initial steps to face the North East Monsoon (MTL) which starts this month until the beginning of next year.

“The Education Ministry has launched its preparations for MTL 2024/2025 at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Padang Garuda, Kuantan, Pahang on Oct 28.

“We are fully prepared by activating the existing committees at the state, district and national levels. In Terengganu itself, 80 schools are ready to be used as Temporary Relief Centres in the event of a flood,” he said after officiating the ‘2024 Sekalung Budi Sejunjung Kasih Kenangan Abadi ceremony of the Terengganu Education Department here, Thursday (Nov 14).

Azman said the department had also stepped up cooperation with other agencies as well as the involvement of the ministry’s staff as flood volunteers.

“The ministry also provides counselling services through Smart Support Team (SST) and Academic Support Team (AST) to help in terms of moral support. Volunteer kits are also provided for post-flood clean-up work,” he said.

In the meantime, he said the Sekalung Budi Sejunjung Kasih Kenangan Abadi ceremony was held to celebrate a total of 929 ministry employees who will be retiring this year and those who retired last year. – Bernama