KUCHING: Schools inundated with floodwaters or located in low-lying areas have been instructed to follow the standard operation procedure (SOP) in the wake of uncertain weather in Sarawak.
State Education Department director Rakayah Maadon said this was to ensure a smooth evacuation process and to avoid untoward incidents if a school was affected by floods.
Rakayah issued the reminder as more schools in the state were submerged by floodwaters since Monday.
“We have an SOP to guide district education offices and schools on what to do when there is a flood.
“I believe all teachers and district education officers understand this SOP and it is being adopted accordingly.
“The safety of children as well as teachers and non-academic staff at the affected schools is our priority,” she said when contacted today.
The New Straits Times learned that schools affected by floods are required to form a disaster committee, which will formulate an action plan to prepare for floods.
The action plan includes the preparation of evacuation strategies to not only relocate teachers and students, but also salvage the schools’ assets.
The State Disaster Management Committee secretariat, in a statement recently, said five more schools were forced to close, bringing the total number to eight.
The schools, which are located in the central and northern region of the state, are SK Long Lenei, SK Kuala Kebulu, SK Bukit Balai, SK Hang Kwang, SK Nanga Assan, SK Tanjung Latap, SJK Yong Shing and SK Nanga Kain.
“A total of 715 pupils were affected by the closure of the schools,” the secretariat said.
As of 6pm, a total of 21 schools were inundated by floodwaters. The schools, which house more than 2,000 students, are still operating.