PUTRAJAYA, Jan 16 ― Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced today that 31 schools nationwide were been given permission to delay their opening as they are still not ready following devastation from the floods.
He also explained that a total of around RM500 million was suffered in damages by schools and education institutions under the ministry nationwide.
“As I speak now, 31 schools are still not open as they were badly affected by the floods. I have taken the decision to give these schools leniency to open later from usual so attention can be given towards the clean-up.
“When they are done, the schools can be reopened and students can continue their learning comfortably and safely,” Muhyiddin said during his ministry’s new year's address at the Putrajaya International Conference Centre here.
Muhyiddin said he had witnessed the damage on schools during a visit to several on both sides of the peninsula, which were SK Tanjung Chenok and SK Lati in Pasir Mas, Kelantan; SK Pulau Tawar in Jerantut, Pahang; and SK Lambor Kiri in Bota, Perak.
“To face the possibility of the floods in the future, I suggest for schools and education institutions in areas vulnerable to disasters to be ready from early. All valuable equipment must be kept in a safe place so we can reduce the amount of damage from the floods,” said Muhyiddin, who is also deputy prime minister.
In December, the ministry postponed the start of the school session by a week after the floods, and insisted that students in about 300 schools that were affected by the floods could begin their schooling session according to schedule on earlier this week.
However, Education Minister II Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh admitted last week that out of the 165 flood-affected schools in Kelantan, only 130 would be ready for school, which reopened in some states last Sunday.
