TANJONG KARANG: The Education Ministry has mobilised two support teams, the Smart Support Team (SST) and the Academic Support Team (AST), to assist students stranded in temporary relief centres due to flooding in Kedah and Perak.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek stated that both teams, which include teachers, play a crucial role in providing psycho-social support, counselling, and educational assistance to affected students.
"As of this morning, a total of 677 students remain in the relief centres, with 670 in Kedah and seven in Perak. I visited several Education Ministry institutions designated as relief centres in Kedah on Monday (Sept 23) to check on the condition of the students and their families," she said after launching the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Hub under the Petronas Foundation's Teacher Ambassador programme.
As of 8am Tuesday (Sept 23), the reported number of flood evacuees in Kedah and Perak stood at 6,833 individuals, who are being sheltered in 34 relief centres, down from 7,210 last night.
Commenting on the STEM initiative, Fadhlina encouraged teachers to enhance their skills to inspire student interest in STEM, nurturing a knowledgeable and sustainable generation. "We are excited to welcome the first STEM Hub in Selangor, with plans for more hubs in the northern and southern regions," she added.
Managed by the Petronas Foundation, the STEM hub aims to provide a space for educators to enhance the implementation of the STEM curriculum, focusing on creating a robust educational experience through the integration of technology and modern teaching aids.
Regarding regulations on recording and broadcasting images of students, Fadhlina noted that the ministry issued a new circular and guidelines on August 21. "This reminder is crucial for all parties involved, as the ministry prioritises the safety of children in schools," she added.
The guidelines remind teachers about obtaining necessary permission from parents when creating content, addressing concerns about student safety following an incident where a bus driver posted content featuring primary school students on social media. - Bernama
