Flood-hit primary school in Menggatal receives immediate aid from ministry

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 6): The state Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation on Tuesday distributed assistance to SK Rampayan in Menggatal, which was adversely affected by that floods that had struck the area over the past couple of days.

Minister Datuk James Ratib said he had directed the Sabah Education Department to supply 300 desks and chairs for the pupils, replace 10 units of computers and a damaged printer, and also provide 40 desks and chairs for the teachers.

“All the aid and equipment must be supplied immediately and sent to this school before the opening of the school session next Monday.

“This is to ensure the comfort, safety and continuity of the children’s learning,” he said during an inspection at SK Rampayan in Menggatal on Tuesday.

Also present were Assistant Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of Sabah Jordan Jude Ellron, officers from the Sabah Education Department, Kota Kinabalu District Education officer Johari Sabin, SK Rampayan headmaster Ropinah Moktar, and Kampung Rampayan headman Agku Samsu Pg Mobin.

James also expressed his appreciation to the Sabah Education Department for its swift action in coordinating the assistance, as well as to the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the District Education Office and all parties involved in the cleaning and restoration work on the school.

Apart from SK Rampayan, several other schools had also been identified as being badly affected by the floods, said James, ading that his ministry would continue to monitor the situation and provide the appropriate assistance according to current needs.

James also said teams from the government-linked companies (GLCs) under the ministry would be mobilised to provide immediate assistance to affected schools as additional support for the restoration efforts.