KOTA KINABALU: Nine schools around here and neighbouring districts have been closed today to facilitate cleanup works due to yesterday's floods.
This affects 3,806 pupils and between 272 teachers, said Sabah Education director Datuk Maimunah Suhaibul.
While the school session is halted, parents and teachers are working together via 'gotong royong' to clean up the premises which have been muddied in the aftermath of the floods.
"Hopefully they can finish today and resume school sessions tomorrow. The most it will take is two days.
"We are also seeking assistance from the Fire and Rescue Department to use their water pump from the fire engine to clear the debris," she said after visiting Sekolah Kebangsaan Darau, one of the schools affected by the flood yesterday which left 22 pupils temporarily stranded.
The other affected schools were SK Rampayan and SK Kitobu in Kota Kinabalu; SK Lapotung, SK Rungus, SK Togop and SJKC Chung Hwa Tengilan in Tuaran; SK Kem Lok Kawi in Penampang; and SK Timbang in Kota Belud.
She said she has also ordered the department's development unit to do a review and identify damages in these schools, to be forwarded to Education Ministry.
Meanwhile, commenting on SK Darau where 1,363 pupils and 70 school staff were affected, Maimunah said she was informed that this was the second worst flood to hit after 2005.
"This is a flood-prone school and the standard operating procedure we gave for such schools are if the conditions are not conducive for the teaching-learning process, the headmaster or principal can close the school on the advice of the education office there or education department.
"Parents are also reminded to pick up their children early if the weather is bad and if there is potential of flooding," she added.
Meanwhile, state Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said employers should allow their staff to leave office early if bad weather and flood threats persist.
This, she said, is to ensure that working people would be able to reach home thus reducing traffic congestion at affected areas.
"All relevant agencies are monitoring the flood situation round the clock throughout the state so assistance can be rendered immediately.
"The weather is unpredictable. If (bad weather) continues, employees should be allowed to go home early," she told reporters at the Fit Dance Negaraku programme organised by the state Biro Tenaga Kerja at the Communications and Multimedia Ministry’s integrated complex, here.
On the flood situation, she noted that several roads here and Kota Belud remained impassable.
"The relevant agencies are doing their best to provide necessary aid to flood victims and those seeking shelter at temporary evacuation centres.
"I also urge everyone to keep safety a priority by ensuring all electrical appliances are switched off and put away during floods.
"Parents must not allow their children to play in the flood waters. At this momen, it is everyone's responsibility to ensure safety at home," she said.
So far, temporary evacuation centres have been opened in the Papar and Kota Belud districts.
As at 9am, the number of evacuees at Dewan Penampang Baru Kimanis (Papar) has increased to 50 people from 20 families.
The Tun Said Community Hall (Kota Belud) has also received more flood victims with 41 people from eight families registered as at 10am.