KUANTAN: Continuous downpour and widespread flooding has forced the Pahang Education Department to close 11 schools in the state today.
State deputy education department director Dr Tajuddin Mohd Yunus said the department has postponed the first day of the 2018 school term for 10 primary and one secondary school in three districts.
He said nine schools in Kuantan, namely SMK Sungai Lembing, SJKC Sungai Lembing, SK Nadak, SK Sungai Lembing, SK Sungai Mas, SJKC Panching, SJKT Kuala Reman, SK Panching and SK Bukit Kuin, were affected.
He also said SK Acheh in Pekan and SK Gintong in Jerantut were closed for a day.
“Some of the schools like SK Panching are inundated with floodwater. The other schools were spared but the roads leading to them are submerged in water.
“We decided to close these schools to ensure the safety of the schoolchildren and teachers. Teachers from the flood-hit schools have been instructed to report to the nearest schools and district education offices,” he said when contacted.
A Kuantan district education office spokesman said a decision would be made on whether the affected schools would reopen tomorrow.
Checks at SK Panching revealed that most parents received a notice from the school’s administration informing them of the school’s closure today due to the floods.