Education Ministry to provide RM80 million for school repairs from floods, emergencies

KUALA LUMPUR - The Education Ministry (MOE) has allocated RM80 million to accommodate the cost of maintenance in schools at risks of floods, storms or emergencies such as fires this year.

Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the works implemented encompassed maintenance of structures and non-structure buildings, roof, electrical wiring, fencing, drains and other minor maintenance.

For the reconstruction of dilapidated schools which have been approved but have issues of implementation, she said MOE will review the plans by taking into consideration the site and other factors.

"The delay in the project implementation is not due to the allocation factor but due to other factors such as accessibility, the need to adjust the design based on the terrain at the site and the contractor's performance," she said when winding up the debate on the motion on the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) for her ministry in Dewan Negara today.

Touching on the issue of toilet facilities for students with special educational needs (MBPK), Fadhlina said the ministry would focus on providing disabled-friendly (OKU) facilities in schools under MOE.

She said MOE will ensure that schools can meet the requirements of MBPK by ensuring that reasonable accommodation can be given including moving classes to the ground floor, allowing students to use the teacher's toilet if there is no toilet or having mobile ramp for the disabled. - BERNAMA