A PRIMARY school in Baram is the latest to be forced close due to floods, while another in Belaga remains closed a week into the new school term.

Baram’s SK Long Lenei was reported to be under 0.7m of floodwaters at 7am today after the nearby Sg Lenei overflowed, following rain that fell since 4pm yesterday.

All of the school’s 44 pupils, including those living in the school’s boarding quarters, which are now flooded, have been ordered to return home for an extended weekend.

The school has 11 teachers and eight non-teaching staff members.

The state Disaster Management Centre said strong water currents made it dangerous to attend school.

The school’s administrative block was reportedly under 0.6m of floodwaters, while the teachers’ quarters were inundated by up to 0.7m.

The 158 pupils and 15 teachers of Belaga’s SK Uma Sambop have yet to begin classes since the school term began on Tuesday.

While the floodwaters in the school compound have subsided, teachers, pupils and parents are working together to help clean up the resulting mud and debris, and repair damage to school furniture.

The school’s boarding quarters and dining hall were reportedly hard hit by the floods, described as “severe”. – January 5, 2018.