KOTA KINABALU: Eleven primary schools in several districts in Sabah having a combined enrolment of about 2,000 pupils had to close yestrerday after they were hit by flash floods following incessant rain since Tuesday morning.
State Education director Datuk Jame Alip said the districts affected were Kota Kinabalu, Sipitang, Kota Belud and Tuaran.
“In Kota Kinabalu, the schools affected are SK St Cathrine, SK Gudon,SK Kebayau and SK Tombongon,” he said.
In Tuaran, he said Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Chung Hwa in Tengilan and Sekolah Kebangsaan Kauluan had to be closed while in Kota Belud, the schools affected were SK Menunggui, SK Tampasuk 1 and SK Lasau Tintapon.
In Sipitang, SK Lubuk Darat and SK Kawang had to close whereas SJK (C) Sin Boon which was also hit, continued classes on the upper floors.
Jame said the schools would be reopened once the situation reverted to normal.
He said work to clean the school would be carried out jointly through ‘gotong-royong’ by the school and the parents.
“We also hoped that the Fire and Rescue Department, which has been very helpful to us, would be able to assist in the clean-up, by dispatching their water pump to clean up the mud. The schools involved need to get in touch with the department and other related government agencies for assistance so that they could resume normal operation as soon as possible.
“For schools where properties, including textbooks, have been damaged, they must report the matter immediately to the Education Department so that appropriate action can be taken,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Tuaran, a family in Kampung Mongkolud had to evacuate their home on the advice of the Public Works Department because of the danger posed by a landslip nearby.
Tuaran Natural Disasters Management Committee secretary Abdullah Sani said the family of five were now putting up with relatives.
He urged people needing help in the district because of floods or landlslide to call the committee’s secretariat at 088-093055.