11 Schools In Kedah Affected By Storm - JPN

PENDANG, April 28 (Bernama) -- The Kedah State Education Department (JPN) confirmed that 11 schools in three districts in the state were damaged in yesterday's storm incident.

Its director, Abdul Rahim Mat, said six schools were affected in Pendang, four in Kulim/Bandar Baharu and one in Kota Setar.

He said the six schools in Pendang are Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Hj Mohamad Arif, SK Paya Mengkuang, SK Paya Mak Insun, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Air Puteh Dalam, Akademi Sains Pendang and Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Pendang.

The four schools in Kulim/Bandar Baharu are SK Dato Hj Zainudin, SMK Serdang, SMK Lubuk Buntar and Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Ganesar, while SK Kangkong was affected in Kota Setar.

He said that of the 11 schools, SK Hj Mohamad Arif has implemented the Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) session from today until Thursday (April 30), involving 600 pupils in pre-school, Year One, Year Two and Year Three.

"We will review the PdPR from time to time and, if necessary, we may extend it.

"Yesterday's storm caused property damage, but we are thankful there were no casualties. The JPN, District Education Office and schools have taken initial action to identify the damage caused,” he told reporters after visiting the Pendang Science Academy here today.

He said the JPN will also try to immediately obtain disaster emergency funds to enable repair works to be carried out promptly so that the pupils can continue their studies safely.

Yesterday, the Civil Defence Force (APM) of Kedah, in a statement, said that storms and strong winds swept across three districts, damaging several buildings, including government premises, and uprooting trees.

Meanwhile, MARA Education deputy director-general Shahrizal Mohd Saderi said 582 Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) students were allowed to return home today and would undergo the PdPR session from tomorrow until Thursday, with the students expected to return to the hostel on Sunday (May 3).

"Yesterday's storm blew away the roofs of several buildings, but what is important is that there was no casualty.

"The situation is now under control, and work to assess the damage is underway. A special allocation will be given, and we have identified the contractors capable of carrying out immediate repair works,” he said after visiting the Pendang MRSM today.

He said MARA is also seeking approval for emergency funds for the repairs, estimated to be RM1.5 million, with repairs set to begin once the funds are received.

-- BERNAMA