‘Identify high-risk schools’

KUALA LUMPUR: Scrutiny on religious schools which do not come under the purview of Education Ministry has begun.

This follows the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah Tahfiz fire which claimed the lives of 21 students and two teachers.

Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, while conveying his condolences to victims’ families, issued a decree yesterday for the Fire and Rescue Department to identify schools in the state that were exposed to the risk of fire.

“All building by-laws must be strictly complied with. Local authorities must take action and close down any premises found operating illegally.

“It is especially important that school buildings, including privately-run tahfiz schools, meet full safety standards,” Sultan Ibrahim told the Johor Royal Press Office via a statement issued on his official Facebook page.

In the state Fire and Rescue Department director, Norazam Khamis said, inspections would be conducted at 31 registered religious and tahfiz schools.

“This inspection process is a normal practice which is one of the tasks and responsibilities conducted by the department. But in view of the latest fire tragedy, we feel it is important to intensify the inspection process. No schools will be excused,” he said.

In state authorities are keeping a close watch on 25 out of 106 registered religious schools in the state, for failure to conform to stipulated regulations.