PASIR MAS: A new standard operating procedure (SOP) to manage schools at risk of flooding will be introduced next year, says the Education Ministry.
Its secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi said the new SOPs would focus on relocating essential areas such as teachers’ rooms, laboratories and textbook storage rooms to higher floors of schools to protect them from being damaged by floods.
He said classrooms on lower floors would be outfitted with flood-resistant materials such as plastic to minimise the damage in the event of floods.“From my visits to flood-affected schools, I realised that we need to plan ahead.
The new SOPs will help reduce the repair and replacement costs following such disasters,” he said, Bernama reported.
Ruji observed that during his visit to SMK Meranti, the teachers’ rooms were completely destroyed by floods and the replacement cost could reach tens of thousands of ringgit.“
Our goal is to reduce costs by implementing these SOP measures. I will present this proposal to the ministry for broader application to all schools at risk of flooding,” he added.
Previously, media reports highlighted that SMK Meranti, located about 3km from the Sungai Golok basin, was one of the schools in Kelantan severely impacted by the first wave of floods recently.
Ruji also said that state education departments, district education offices and the principals of schools affected by floods have been instructed to submit immediate reports on the extent of the damage and losses incurred.
“We aim to ensure that the teaching and learning process is not disrupted by the floods. We have asked for procurement processes to address the damage be expedited,” he said.
