By DayakDaily Team
LIMBANG, May 8: Maintenance of all safety features in schools must be given continuous attention, with issues involving electrical wiring, drains, holes, exposed nails and other dangerous areas addressed immediately to ensure the safety of students and school staff.
In a TVS news, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek stressed that the Ministry of Education (MOE) will not compromise on any safety issues involving students, including school wiring systems in Sarawak, following the recent electrocution tragedy involving a Form Four student at a school in Daro.
She said clear directives had been issued to all school administrators to ensure all facilities and infrastructure within school compounds are properly maintained and prioritise the safety of the school community.
“I extend my condolences to the family of the student who died due to electrocution. This incident was beyond our expectations, but it sends a very strong signal to us that safety in schools cannot be compromised.
“My instructions are very clear to all administrators… to ensure that all these safety features are thoroughly inspected. Issues involving wiring, drains, holes, nails and dangerous areas must be addressed immediately.
“We are also ensuring that our school safety guidelines are being improved, and we are seeking expertise from National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) specifically to enhance all aspects of safety,” she said during a press conference after visiting Sekolah Kebangsaan Limpaku Pinang today.
Fadhlina said Sarawak Education Department (JPN) and District Education Office (PPD) have been tasked with ensuring that maintenance-related safety matters in schools are consistently monitored and acted upon from time to time.
She added that the Education director-general has also been instructed to continuously remind all school administrators to act swiftly on any safety concerns.
“We take seriously the tragedy that claimed the life of a 16-year-old student due to electrocution on Thursday (may 7), and the incident cannot be taken lightly as it involves basic safety aspects in educational institutions,” she said.
At the same time, Fadhlina said the ministry would continue to engage with and support the affected family, including addressing safety-related matters and providing social assistance.
Also present was Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah. — DayakDaily
