Starting next year, the Ministry of Education will introduce a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing schools at risk of flooding.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Datuk Ruji Ubbi, stated that the new SOP will focus on relocating critical areas such as teachers' offices, laboratories, and textbook storage rooms to higher floors in schools to avoid flood damage.
He also emphasized that classrooms on lower floors will be equipped with flood-prevention materials like plastic, to minimize damage caused by floods.
“From my visits to affected schools, I realized the need for advance planning. The new SOP will help reduce the costs of repairs and replacements following such disasters.
“Today, during my visit to SMK Melor, I observed that the teachers' office was completely damaged, with replacement costs potentially reaching tens of thousands of ringgit. Our goal is to reduce these costs by implementing these measures. I will present this proposal to the Ministry of Education to promote it in all schools at risk of flooding.”
He stated this to reporters following his visit to the severely affected SMK Melor, accompanied by Kelantan Education Department Director Datuk Mohd Zan Ri, yesterday.
Earlier media reports indicated that SMK Melor, located about 3 kilometers from the Golok River Basin, was one of the schools severely affected by the first wave of floods at the end of last month in Kelantan.
Ruji said that the Ministry of Education has instructed state education departments, district education departments, and principals of affected schools to immediately submit reports on the extent of damage and losses. They are also urged to expedite the procurement process to resolve damage issues, ensuring that the school's educational activities are not affected.
“We have emergency procurement facilities in place, including construction work and the purchase of necessary equipment. We are prioritizing the procurement of equipment, and expect to complete it by the end of January at the latest.”