Flood-hit students eager to return to school

Udder desperationA herd of cows swimming for their lives after their enclosure was flooded in Kampung Sungai Ganchong in Pekan, Pahang. The state Veterinary Services Department has provided portable stables to ease the process of transporting livestock. — Bernama

KUANTAN: Students here are anxious to head back to the classroom after floods forced them to postpone their first day of school.

Heavy rain, which hit the state on Monday, has seen schools becomeflooded or access roads submerged in water, while others have become flood relief centres for evacuees.

Form Three student Khairunnisa Ahmad, 15, said she was eager to resume her studies.

“It’s boring taking shelter here as there is not much to do. I can’t wait to start studying again,” said Khairunnisa, who is taking shelter with her family at SMK Tanah Putih here.

“I am also worried about the PT3 exams this year, so the faster school starts, the more relieved I will be.”

Mohd Idham Shamsudin, 13, is also eager to start studying again.

“I have been keeping myself entertained by playing football or basketball here, but it gets boring after a while,” he said.

“I hope my family can go back home and school can reopen so that I can start studying again,” said Mohd Izzudin Ahmad, who is in Year Five.

“Taking shelter here is nice as there are some activities and games organised for us, but I want to go back to school and meet my friends.”

According to the Social Welfare Department, there were more than 9,028 flood victims in Pahang as at 3pm yesterday.

Kuantan is the hardest hit of the seven flooded districts. The others are Pekan, Rompin, Maran, Lipis, Bera and Jerantut.