TWENTY-four schools, including a secondary school, in Beaufort and Tenom have been ordered to close due to floods following continuous rain since Monday.

Sabah Education Director Mistirine Radin said the temporary closure of the schools affected 474 teachers and 4,526 students from the two districts.

She said a total of 17 schools are temporarily closed in Beaufort, namely, SMK St Paul, SJCK Lian Hwa, SK Lago, SK Pekan Membakut, and SK Bangkalalak. 

“Also closed are SK Kabajang, SK Batu 60, SK Batandok, SK St John, SK St Paul, SK Luagan, SK Klias Baru, SK Garama, SK Mempagar, SK Biah Batu 65, SK Suasa, SK Lupak, involving 361 teachers and 3,656 students, ”she said in a statement today. 

In Tenom, she said, seven schools have been closed today, namely, SK Gumisi, SK Ladang Sapong, SJKC Yuk Syn, SJKC Pada, SK Inubai and SK Sumambu. 

Meanwhile, SK Mandalom was closed to be used as a temporary evacuation centre to house flood victims from nearby villages.

“The temporary closure of schools in the district affects 113 teachers and 870 students,” she said.

Yesterday, the Sabah Disaster Management Committee said 49 villages in Beaufort and Tenom were affected by the floods due to continuous heavy rain since Monday afternoon. – Bernama, May 11, 2022.