THE Education Ministry is prepared for the eventuality of floods in the country with the approaching monsoon.

Its minister, Fadhlina Sidek, said the ministry is always in contact with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and working together in facing the possibility of any disaster, including floods.

“We are always prepared. The coordinating committee has discussed the matter and the flood monitoring centre is also prepared for the monsoon,” she told reporters after opening the multidimensional centre at SK Sungai Aceh in Nibong Tebal today.

Fadhlina said the ministry had finalised the mechanism for the flood preparations, including for schools that might be used as relief centres.

Yesterday, three states – Perak, Sabah and Sarawak – were hit by floods resulting in the evacuation of hundreds of residents to relief centres.

Fadhlina, who is Nibong Tebal MP, also said the ministry had provided guidelines for teachers when meting out punishment to their students.

“The guidelines are there, so we want all parties to follow them,” she said.

Fadhlina said this when asked about a proposal by a civil society group for the presence of a witness when meting out punishments to students.

This followed an incident on Friday, where a teacher of a school in Klang, Selangor, was reported to have slapped a student in the face over a missing letter. – Bernama, September 24, 2023.