‘Post-flood reports on schools after water recedes’

What’s a little water?: Nur Erynna Qaleesya Mohd Saiful Nizam and her brother Muhamad Fayyadh Qazriel Mohd Saiful Nizam doing their schoolwork as part of their PdPr session at their home in Parit Karjo, Batu Pahat. — Bernama

BATU PAHAT: The Johor Education Department will prepare a post-flood report on damage to schools in Batu Pahat when all of them are fully operating again after being used as temporary relief centres (PPS).

As of yesterday, department director Md Said Md Daimon said 44 schools were still being used as PPS.

These PPS comprised 38 primary schools and six secondary schools, he said.

Another five schools have remained shut – three of them are flooded while another two have no power supply.

“We have met with Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. He has requested that the department prepare a post-flood assessment, especially on the damaged amenities in schools,” he said.

He said the department had sent the initial reports for the other nine districts, except for Batu Pahat, which is still affected by floods.

“So far, there are some reports of broken tables and chairs, but we’re unable to estimate the damage as some schools are still being used as PPS.

“We hope the situation will improve and we can get this report ready as soon as possible,” he told reporters after visiting the SK Seri Gading clean-up operation and the SK Seri Pandan PPS in Parit Raja here.

Md Said said the department was currently focusing on cleaning up 44 schools in phases as some of the evacuees had started to return home.

He also said the situation in SK Seri Gading, which had been cleaned up “but sediment flowed back again, so we have to clean it once more”.

“We want to take this opportunity to thank those who helped in the clean-up operations of schools,” he said, such as those from government agencies and NGOs, including the Southern Volunteers.

Among the schools that have remained shuttered are SK Seri Mendapat, SK Tanjung Sembrong and SK Seri Nasib Baik in Batu Pahat.

“SK Pogoh and SMK Buloh Kasap in Segamat are closed due to electricity supply issues. We are currently working with the Public Works Department (JKR) to ensure these schools are safe,” he said.

He said these two schools were badly affected by the floods but were expected to be fully operational today.

Md Said also said the schools had given parents and students the option to attend home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) sessions for those still affected by the floods.

“As for the enrolment of new primary one students, we have given parents and guardians until next week to do so as a majority of them are still busy with cleaning up and moving back to their homes.”

Besides PdPR, students are also given the option to attend the Online Learning and Facilitating Process (PdPc) conducted in the 44 schools.

“Students from other schools (of the same level) are gathered in one classroom to study together, but for this first week the module will be more relaxed. We will start with the educational recap next week,” he added.

Meanwhile, Johor education, information and communication committee chairman Norliza Noh said that 187 schools were used as PPS during the floods from Feb 28 to March 17.

“It comprises 173 primary schools and 14 secondary schools.

“We have also recorded 51 schools that are inundated with water, of which 49 are primary schools and two are secondary schools,” she said.

As of yesterday, she said 905 primary schools and 284 secondary schools were in operation.