PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry is reviewing the standard operating procedures for outdoor activities across all its institutions to strengthen safety measures.
The review comes after an accident at Pantai Merdeka last Saturday, which claimed the lives of two trainee teachers from the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Perlis Campus during an off-campus programme.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry takes full responsibility for the tragedy.
“Any breaches of regulations will be addressed, and no one will be shielded from accountability,” she said in a statement.
Christopher Ling Jia Siang and Joey Ling Lin Siang were undergoing their Bachelor of Teaching Physical Education course when both drowned in the 7.30 pm tragedy.
Joey’s aunt, Kee Ching Ching said the family is calling for a full and transparent report about the incident, reported Bernama.
“We hope the report will be thorough and transparent, especially regarding the standard operating procedures for kayaking activities.
“We also want to know whether the location is suitable for such activities, and we urge the Education Ministry to review the syllabus for outdoor programmes,” she said when meeting reporters at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar, Kedah on Monday night.
Christopher was from Kuching, while Joey was from Sibu. Their remains were flown back to Sarawak from Penang yesterday morning.
Over 100 fellow trainees from the IPG Perlis Campus gathered at the Forensic Department to bid their final goodbyes to their coursemates.
