111 Pasir Gudang schools reopen
PASIR GUDANG: Resumption of classes at 111 schools here yesterday went off without a hitch after a two-week closure.
Checks at SMK Pasir Gudang 2, which is about 5km from Sungai Kim Kim, saw many students still taking precautionary measures by wearing face masks, even in class.
Fourth Former Mohammad Muiz Zainuddin, 16, said many of his schoolmates went to school despite still being worried about the pollution incident.
“We are attending school as usual today. We were encouraged to wear face masks as a precautionary measure.”
The schools were closed on March 13 due to toxic pollution following the dumping of chemicals into Sungai Kim Kim.
The schools were reopened following positive results from the cleaning up of the river.
Sanitation works were conducted at all schools before they reopened.
Almost 6,000 residents here were affected by toxic fumes caused by the dumping of chemicals into the river on March 7.
A total of 5,848 people had sought treatment after showing symptoms believed to be caused by toxic fumes inhalation.
The last victim who sought treatment was allowed to go home on March 25.
A used tyre processing factory and two of its directors were charged at the Sessions Court with 15 offences under two environmental regulations.
The state Education Department said attendance at the 111 schools here was encouraging.
State Islamic Affairs and Education Committee Chairman Aminolhuda Hassan said attendance at SMK Pasir Gudang 2 in Taman Mawar was more than 90 per cent, adding that it was similar in other schools in the area.
He said this showed the confidence of parents and students in the Education Ministry’s decision to reopen schools here.
“They trust the report by government agencies stating that air quality has improved following the clean-up of Sungai Kim Kim, which cost RM6 million.
“Some still use face masks. It is a precautionary measure. It’s understandable to still be afraid.”
He was speaking after visiting SMK Pasir Gudang 2 yesterday.
Present was Johor Education Department deputy director Azman Adnan.
Aminolhuda said the air quality yesterday was good and all schools were operating as usual.
“I believe teachers will ensure that students can catch up with lessons that were disrupted by the closure.”
He said Takaful Pelajar Sekolah Malaysia forms had been submitted to 355 students affected by the pollution.
“Those who were admitted to hospitals can claim RM25 a day for the duration of their stay.”
Meanwhile, Bernama reported that students, teachers and school staff still traumatised by the incident would get counselling.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said the counselling, which would be handled by school counsellors in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department and Sultanah Aminah Hospital’s Psychiatric Unit, would begin today.
“The provision of post-disaster counselling is to assist those who are traumatised by the incident,” he said after officiating the closing of the management and administration course for the Village Community Management Council and Simpang Renggam Pakatan Harapan Community Leaders in Johor Baru yesterday
He said no time frame was set for the counselling, but, to start, it would be held for two to three weeks, according to the level of trauma suffered by victims.
A total of 2,510 students were affected by the incident, with 400 warded. All have recovered.
A National Scheduled Toxic Waste Management Committee will be established by the government to draft a standard operating procedure for chemical pollution disasters.
Department of Environment director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Kamarulnajuib Che Ibrahim said the scope and duties of the committee were being drafted for the Energy, Technology, Science, Environment and Climate Change Ministry for approval.
“Among the committee’s functions is to decide on toxic waste management in the future.”