KOTA KINABALU: A safer site on higher ground has been identified for the relocation of SK Simpangan in interior Paitan, which was destroyed in one of Sabah's worst floods earlier this year.
State Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib said the new location has been proposed at the Kg Simpangan Desa Development Cooperative (Desa).
He said the choice also took flood risks into consideration, as well as the long-term needs of pupils and teachers if the school were rebuilt on the existing site.
"The existing location is lower and close to a river. Earlier on, there was another suggestion to relocate SK Simpangan to the Paitan town area, but I think that location can be used to build SK Pekan Paitan instead," he said after visiting the SK Simpangan temporary classroom construction site on Saturday (April 18).
However, these plans need to go through procedures at the Land and Survey Department, and presented for approval as part of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), he added.
For now, pupils from the school will resume classes at an open hall in SMK Simpangan.
James said this is so that they can continue their studies in a conducive environment while waiting for the new school to be built.
Recently, there was public concern over the plight of SK Balaban Jaya pupils being forced to study under tents along the corridors of a mosque in Beluran after their school building was deemed unsafe.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered immediate action to address dilapidated infrastructure at the school.
The pupils are currently having their lessons conducted online while waiting to be transferred to SK Pekan Beluran, about 12km from their old school.
