SEREMBAN: The Education Ministry will speed up maintenance works at dilapidated schools to avoid untoward incidents in the future.
Deputy Education Minister II Senator Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the decision was made by minister, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid during a meeting held recently.
“Old schools and schools which are in dire need of maintenance works will be identified. The minister has ordered the maintenance works to start as soon as possible,” he said.
Chong said, safety aspects at school continue to be a priority and RM3 billion have been allocated for that purpose alone for schools in the Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
“We are looking at old schools which need rewiring and other maintenance works to ensure that the premises are safe for the students, teachers and other staff. If we need to open tender then we’ll do it but if the schools need urgent maintenance works, the school will be given the approval to carry out the work immediately,” he said.
“We can’t take this matter (safety) for granted. Every corner of the school has the potential for various incidents to happen,” he said at a press conference after launching the Seminar on Occupational Safety and Health Management at Schools (OSH), which was held at SMK Agama Sheikh Haji Mohd Said here, today.
Also present was National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) executive secretary Mejar Hanif Maidin.
The programme, which has been co-organised by NIOSH, the Human Resources Ministry and Education Ministry since 2015, aims to provide understanding and awareness on occupational health and safety to ensure an accident-free working environment in schools.
“Through this programme, participants which include teachers, students and school administration staff will be exposed on the basic knowledge on the requirements of occupational safety and health laws, among other things.
On another development, Chong said, the ministry is waiting for the full report on the death of the 14-year-old student from SM Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Gemas, who was killed when a blade from a grass mower tractor struck her head on February 13.
Two students aged 13 and 14 were also injured in the incident.
“We are waiting for the full report and appropriate action will be taken accordingly. We need to seek justice for all involved in this case,” he said.
He added, insurance payout amounting to RM5,500 would be handed to the victims’ families tomorrow, which will be presented by the school.