BUTTERWORTH, Dec 30 – The Education Ministry is ready for all possibilities during the monsoon season when the school session begins this Sunday. Deputy Education Minister P.Kamalanathan said the instruction had been given to all the District Education Offices (PPD) through the State Education Department (JPN).
“I am thankful that so far, there have been no major issues, but we are prepared not just in the East Coast but anywhere, to face the monsoon season. The schools which will become temporary shelters for the flood victims have been identified,” he told reporters after the presentation of a mock cheque for the construction of a new building for Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Sungai Bakap, near here, Tuesday.
“The ministry had also instructed all schools to be prepared with all necessary items. We pray that if there are floods, they would not affect lives. On the allocation of RM3.5 million for the school’s new building, it was proof of the federal government’s commitment to assist the SJKT throughout the country,” Kamalanathan said.
“The government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had never neglected education in any state. We will ensure that the SJKT will be given reasonable allocations and assistance in times of need, and claims that the SJKT in Penang have been neglected are baseless,” he said.
He noted that between October and December this year, 23 SJKT in Penang received allocations amounting to RM5.34 million from the government. The funds could be used by the schools for maintenance works including upgrading the classrooms, staff room, resource centre and canteen.
