Up to RM16mil in damaged school infrastructure, equipment in Terengganu

The Terengganu government estimates between RM14 million and RM16 million in losses due to damaged school infrastructure and equipment resulting from floods which hit the state in December last year.

State Education, Science and Technology and Special Functions Committee chairman Ghazali Taib said the damage involved 192 schools which had been submerged in water, as well as schools used as relief centres for three affected districts, namely Kemaman, Hulu Terengganu and Dungun.

"The floods damaged school toilets, office buildings, furniture, textbooks, electrical wiring and electrical items. Most schools experienced this but the situation is more critical in the three districts.

"However, this is only a preliminary estimate and the actual value of damages will be included in a detailed report," he told Bernama here today.

Ghazali said he will make a request to Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for repairs to be carried out quickly.

"Over 33,000 flood victims were moved to schools acting as relief centres, while some schools were used as temporary transits before they are sent to relief centres gazetted by the National Security Council.

"As for the damaged textbooks, the State Education Department has made an application to the ministry," he said.

Ghazali said all schools in Terengganu will open on Sunday as set by the ministry.

"As there are classrooms which cannot be used, we will put the students temporarily in the hall and laboratories. Students who have not obtained uniforms can come in their normal clothes," he said.

In another development, Ghazali said the state government has distributed RM13 million in schooling aid statewide.