PASIR MAS, Dec 29 — In just four days, the new school term will kick off, but parents affected by the recent floods and currently taking refuge in temporary relief centres (PPS) find themselves unprepared for their children’s return to school.
Mohd Shamsul Wahid, 38, said his home in Kampung Serongga has been submerged in floodwaters exceeding two metres since Monday (December 25).
“This is the third flood incident for me since November, which damaged all our belongings.
“I have not made any purchases yet for my children’s 2024 school session. If there were some old school clothes or equipment that the kids could reuse, I think it all had been damaged by the flood,” he told Bernama today.
Shamsul said he has two daughters embarking on their first year, at SMK Sri Kiambang and SK Sri Kiambang, respectively.
Adding to his concerns, he has also lost his sources of income as a construction worker during this prolonged monsoon season.
“I hope that when the school session opens next week, the relevant authorities can provide some flexibility regarding school uniforms,” Shamsul said.
According to the Education Ministry calendar, the third academic session for 2023/2024 will commence on January 2 next year.
Meanwhile, retired army personnel Rezak Hamat, 63, from Kampung Seberang Merbau, expressed concern about the revision process for his son, Mohd Razim, 17, a student at SMK Sri Kiambang who is currently sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2023 examinations.
“The flood has damaged his reference books, and now my son solely relies on a smartphone for revision. He has decided to stay at a cousin’s house to make it easier for him to study,” he said.
The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2023 examinations began on December 5 and will continue until March 7, 2024.
— Bernama
