KOTA KINABALU: The State Education Department announced yesterday that 10 schools from Tawau, Kota Belud and from here were flooded recently.
They are SK Batu 22, SK Kuala Apas and SK Wakuba in Tawau; SRK St Catherine in Kota Kinabalu; and SK Tampasuk 1, SK Lasau Tintapon, SK Kesapang, SK Timbang, SK Labuan and SK Menunggui in Kota Belud, said its director, Datuk Jame Alip, at a press conference yesterday.
A total of 2,818 students and 264 teachers were affected by the flood, he said.
Additionally, some of the schools also suffered up to RM85,400 losses.
Jame also received report of another school affected by flood in Papar during the press conference.
He said SK Kinarut in Papar was affected and estimated damage was RM40,000.
The director urged district education offices to ensure that all students were equipped with chairs and desks to facilitate their learning prior to the start of the new school year on January 12.
He stressed that this is crucial at schools that have been hit by the flood and sustained damage.
Jamee also mentioned that schools that often experienced flooding during heavy rainfall such as SRK St Catherine would be shifted to higher grounds.
“As a matter of fact, the school board (SRK St Catherine) has already identified a site for the construction of the new school building … it is safer and higher,” he said.
Proposals to shift schools in flood-prone areas in Tenom have also been received and would be included in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), he added.
On the monsoon season and expectation of further heavy rainfalls, Jame urged schools and district education offices to be continuously wary and look after the safety of all students and the school equipment.
“Don’t allow students to wade in flood water or cross bridges when the water current is strong. Place safety above all else.”
He also urged schools to place their computers and books at higher places so that they would not be destroyed by water.
Jame also commented on the flood impacting some states in Peninsular Malaysia and stated that a total of 1,058 secondary and 1,053 primary school teachers posted in Sabah were from the flood-affected state of Kelantan, while 354 secondary and 314 primary school teachers were from Terengganu.
“We are in the midst of identifying where they are. They are supposed to be back in Sabah today (Jan 7) after their holidays and report for duty on Jan 12,” he said.
He urged the teachers to return to Sabah to fulfill their obligations.
However for those who are unable to return due to unforeseen circumstances, he urged them to write a letter to the school they are attached to so that the latter remained updated.