RANTAU PANJANG: Despite the obvious shortcomings and setbacks caused by the floods, an 11-year-old boy here has shown determination and resilience in attending school.
"I am determined to go to school even though I am in my normal clothes and wearing my Japanese slippers," said Muhammad Syafik Ikram Mazlan, 11.
Muhammad Syafik is one of the pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Gual To'Deh who have been hit by the flood crisis, with his school supplies and clothes either ruined or unable to be used for the time being.
He admitted that initially he did not want to attend school since the floodwaters wrecked much of his school outfit and supplies. However, after hearing that children impacted by the floods would be granted exemptions, he was not only relieved but also rekindled the desire to return to school.
"I was not the only one who was affected by the floods, more than half of my classmates shared the same fate. So we put on whatever clothes that we have so that we could begin the new school session today, even if it meant wearing Japanese slippers.
"Luckily I managed to save my books and writing utensils. My father (Mazlan Abd Samad, 54) had to buy me a new school bag since the previous one was covered in thick mud and silt and could no longer be used.
"I am sad because many of our things and belongings were damaged this time around, but I managed to keep my chin up and turned up for the new school session to continue with learning," he said when met earlier at SK Gual To'Deh here today.
Checks at the school found that only Year 2 students were present for the start of the new school session, and nearly 90 per cent of the students were not dressed in full school uniform.
Meanwhile, Noriah Yusof, 48, is relieved and thankful that the Education Ministry has given leeway for school-going children to wear normal clothes and attire to school for the time being because of the flood situation that has impacted many in the state.
"Initially, my child was avoiding going back to school because all of his clothes and other school related materials and things were compromised and unable to be brought out as the house had not been cleaned yet.
"But after being informed that my son's friends were also facing the same issues, only then was he able to muster a smile once again and was willing to go back to school," she said.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Kelantan state education department allowed flood-affected pupils in the state to attend school in normal clothing for the start of the new school session today.