SK Tohoi tragedy: Education Ministry to set up special committee

Following the tragedy that befell the seven Orang Asli students in Gua Musang, the Education Ministry will set up a special committee to look into various aspects involving Orang Asli children who stayed in its hostels.

Education director-general Datuk Seri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof said the committee would include various parties and agencies and would look at development, safety, welfare and health aspects of the hostels.

He said the committee would be chaired by the deputy director-general of Education (Education Operations Sector).

"The committee will be immediately set up and be given three months from mid-October 2015 to prepare and submit recommendations to the ministry for improvements in these aspects," he said in a statement, Saturday.

The ministry would also organise training sessions on the culture and way of life of the Orang Asli in stages to teachers in Orang Asli schools, he said.

"This includes the appropriate engagement methods to win over their thinking towards developments in education," he said.

Khair said teachers skilled in counselling and psychology had been instructed to help the friends, teachers and families of the seven students overcome the trauma of the experience and calm their emotions.

He said the ministry was very sad over the tragedy which had befallen the students.

"The ministry takes this opportunity to convey our condolences to the parents and families of these students and pray that those who have not yet been found are safe," he said.

He added that the ministry was concerned and serious about the tragedy and wanted the cause to be studied objectively and convincingly, as it occurred while the students were still under the supervision of the teachers in the school.

"A tragedy like this cannot be taken lightly and every effort must be carried out seriously, in a transparent manner and done holistically to prevent it recurring," Khair stressed.

On Aug 23, seven students of SK Tohoi, Gua Musang were reported missing from their school hostel when they were afraid of their teacher's reaction after they swam in the nearby river without permission.

Two of them Miksudiar Alui, 11, and Norieen Yaakob, 10, were found safe yesterday while Sasa Sobrie, 8, and Ika Ayel, 9, were confirmed dead.

Three more who have not been found are Juvina David, 7; Linda Rosli, 8; and Haikal Yaakob, 8.