SUBANG JAYA: The Education Ministry has confirmed that all students affected by the Putra Heights, Subang Jaya gas pipeline fire on April 1 have returned to school, except for two students who are still hospitalised.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the disaster impacted 133 victims, including 128 students and five teachers. Nine previously admitted individuals have since been discharged.
“So far, everyone is back in school, and we will continue to monitor the situation from time to time.
“As previously announced on April 3, each affected member of the education community received a contribution of RM1,000 supported by Yayasan Guru Tun Hussein Onn and Yayasan Didik Negara,” she said during the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire donation handover ceremony in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) USJ 23 on Wednesday (April 16).
Fadhlina said that the Education Ministry also provided a support system for those affected by the gas pipeline fire.
“Even while they were at the temporary placement centre (PPS) earlier, support groups like the Smart Support Team (SST) and Academic Support Team (AST) from the state education department came to provide academic and psychosocial assistance to them,” she said.
When asked about accommodation needs, Fadhlina said that no applications have been received so far for hostel placement, but any such requests in future would be prioritised.
Overall, she said the Education Ministry would continue to provide support from time to time, especially through counselling.
Meanwhile, Education deputy director-general (School Operations) Zainal Abas said that about 35 to 37 schools were involved in the incident, including students from various schools, such as vocational colleges in Negri Sembilan, whose homes are in the affected area.
He explained that the SST initiative consists of guidance and counselling teachers, not just from the affected schools, but also from the community, mobilised to support students while they were in the PPS.
“Our counselling teachers are trained with many techniques and methods to assess a student's emotional state.
“Early intervention is important to detect how the affected students are coping, and then how to carry out the right interventions.
“Sometimes students say they don’t need counselling, but we don’t know what’s going on inside.
“Even if they say they’re fine, we make sure our teachers stay in contact and provide room for them to talk — and let them know there’s someone ready to listen and help,” he said.
He said that the AST are academic teachers who voluntarily came to help and are now working alongside the Education Ministry to ensure that students continue with their lessons even while they are still at the relief centres and unable to attend school.
“As for emotional support, we will continue to provide it consistently.
“It requires long-term intervention, and we are confident that our guidance and counselling teachers are capable of reaching out to these students, offering them the right emotional support to help them overcome any trauma,” he said.
On April 3, Fadhlina announced that the ministry would provide RM1,000 in financial aid to teachers, staff, and students affected by the gas pipeline fire.
Further aid was announced on April 11 by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said student victims have received over RM130,000 in assistance from Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), including allowances, laptops, tablets and power banks.
MBI, under the Selangor state government, distributed RM500 in cash aid to 265 students at the Putra Heights Mosque victim relief centre.
The students also received 100 tablets and power banks from the Digital Ministry.
“Thanks to the ministry, 75 new laptops were also distributed to 38 schools and 37 university students affected by the fire," he said, adding that university students were also given RM200 book vouchers to help replace study materials lost in the fire.
