30% of schools in run-down buildings
> Education Ministry to make repairs and safety a top priority
JOHOR BARU: About 3,000 schools, or 30% of the 10,000 schools nationwide, are in dilapidated buildings that are dangerous for use.
The Education Ministry will make it its top priority to repair these buildings to ensure safer schools throughout the country.
Its deputy minister Teo Nie Ching revealed this after celebrating the 105th anniversary of SRJK (C) Foon Yew 3 yesterday.
“The issue of run-down classrooms and school buildings has dragged on for so many years,” she said, adding the ministry would try to ensure they would not become fire traps.
She was referring to the death of Catherine Janet Tiwi, 25, in a fire at the quarters of SK Batu Bungan in Marudi, Sarawak, last Wednesday. Another teacher suffered 25% burns.
On the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), she said the ministry is closely monitoring the disease.
“If two cases are confirmed in the same classroom, the classroom concerned will be closed for a period of 14 days in accordance with the Health Ministry’s standard operating procedure.
“The closure of the school or classroom will depend on the Health Ministry’s directive and at the same time, teachers at the school are also asked to examine their pupils for HFMD symptoms.”
She said the ministry is also awaiting the full report on the death of a two-year-old boy in Mukah, Sarawak, on Saturday.