KUALA TERENGGANU: The number of schools forced to close due to flooding in four districts in the state has increased.
State Education Department School Management Sector deputy director Azman Othman @ Abdullah said that 13 schools had to be closed today due to rising water levels, compared to only five schools yesterday.
Azman, who is performing the duties of the state education director said among the schools closed in the Kuala Terengganu district are SK Seri Budiman; SK Kubang Ikan; SK Pusat Kuala Ibai, SK Kedai Buluh, SK Losong, SK Kampung Bukit and SK Bukit Bayas.
Other schools that are closed are SMK Bukit Besar; SMK Sultan Mansor and Sekolah Menengah Agama (SMA) Sheikh Abdul Malek.
"In the Besut district, SK Bukit Puteri is closed, followed by SMK Padang Kemunting in Kuala Nerus district and SMK Intan Zaharah in Dungun district," he said when contacted today.
In line with the current situation, Azman has called on the school management affected by the flood to apply for disaster leave. He said schools can also be considered as temporary flood relief centres, if the classrooms are being extensively used to accommodate flood victims.
"We have asked all school managements, especially those affected by the flood, to apply for disaster leave," he said.