KUALA LUMPUR: The aftermath of the fire and gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights has not dampened the spirits of affected children, who returned to school yesterday after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.
Fifteen-year-old Alysya Hanni Shahir was up at 6am to get ready, expressing her excitement at returning to class despite currently staying at the temporary relief centre (PPS) at the Putra Heights Mosque since last week’s incident.
“I’m happy because I get to go back to school. My house is now a restricted zone, so I can’t retrieve anything. But it’s okay; even without a uniform, I can still attend school,” she said.
Sharing her enthusiasm is 16-year-old Mohd Aidil Ashraf Mohd Nizam, who has been excited to return to school, especially with transport being provided.
“I’m excited to go to school; luckily I have sports clothes to wear to school,” said the SMK USJ 8 student.
Meanwhile, Haslina Nordin, 39, a mother of three, expressed her sorrow over how the explosion has upended her family’s daily routine.
“I never imagined something like this would happen. I am responsible for sending my children to school and frequently pass through the affected area.
“But today, my children went to school in a van. That’s what breaks my heart,” she said when met at the PPS at the Putra Heights Mosque, Bernama reported.
Officials have mobilised five Rapid KL On-Demand vans to transport 76 students from two PPS to 19 schools in the Subang Jaya area.
Of the total, 42 are primary school pupils and 34 are secondary school students.
This initiative is a collaborative effort of Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan (YIDE), the Petaling Perdana PPD, the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and Prasarana Malaysia Bhd.
YIDE general manager Nur Mohd Razali Abdullah said this transportation assistance will be provided for a period of two weeks.
