KUALA LUMPUR: Guidelines towards the development of vertical school buildings have been finalised and are set to be presented to the Cabinet, says the Education Ministry.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the guidelines would soon be presented to the Cabinet in the form of a Cabinet note.
“The guidelines take into account the basic principles for the school’s design, including individualism, safe and structured accessibility, student safety, sports facilities and related matters.
“The development plan for vertical schools has been approved by the ministry and will be presented to the Cabinet soon,” he said during question time on Wednesday (July 30).
The implementation of this proposal, Wong stressed, was subject to the ministry and technical agencies' assessment.
This is especially for locations with a population of more than 1 million.
He said there were several aspects taken into account when it comes to developing vertical schools.
This includes safety, access for special needs students, students’ emotional and social well-being and access to recreational areas, among others.
Technical aspects, meanwhile, include soundproofing, building structure and safety exit routes and also maintenance.
Wong added that the ministry saw the proposal for vertical schools as a responsive measure, especially due to land constraints in urban areas like Kuala Lumpur.
“Engagements involving the related agencies as well as parents have also been carried out to review what the school’s infrastructure requirements are,” he said.
Wong was responding to a question by Datuk Muslimin Yahaya (PN-Sungai Besar) who asked for details on the proposal by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to build school compounds with blocks ranging between 10 to 17 storeys.
He also asked about steps to be taken by the ministry to ensure the safety infrastructure in the school was functioning.
Earlier this year, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said DBKL plans to introduce this new concept to optimise limited land and accommodate the growing population.
She said the concept would not compromise essential educational elements, with the proposal to be discussed with the Education Ministry.
