KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 — The Education Ministry (MOE) has mobilised 1,580 coaches from the Smart Support Team (SST) and Academic Support Team (AST) to assist students at flood relief centres with emotional and academic support.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the SST comprises experienced and trained volunteer counselling teachers who support the emotional well-being of students affected by the floods, while the AST helps students continue their education at the relief centres.
“After the evacuation, the second phase or next process is emotional recovery, where we mobilise all counsellors, the Guidance and Counselling Unit, counsellors from the Social Welfare Department, and volunteer counsellors from the Education Ministry,” she said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was replying to a supplementary question from Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu) regarding the ministry’s steps to support the emotional well-being of students in the relief centres, particularly those sitting the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
Fadhlina said 110 counsellors in Kelantan, 90 in Terengganu, and 110 in Kedah were deployed to provide specific support for students sitting for the SPM throughout the exam period.
Under Op Payung, Fadhlina said the ministry has taken full responsibility to ensure SPM candidates affected by the floods are accommodated in hostels for their comfort during the examination.
She added that 7,212 students are still at relief centres located at school premises as at 8am today.
“Kelantan has the highest number of affected students with 5,305, followed by Terengganu (1,090), Kedah (767), Melaka (30), Johor (18), and Perak (two), while 117 schools (93 primary and 24 secondary) continue to operate as flood relief centres,” she said.
Since the onset of the northeast monsoon on November 5, she said 23,957 students have been housed in relief centres, while 470 schools have been used as relief centres. These include 392 primary schools, 77 secondary schools, and one vocational college.
The three states with the highest cumulative number of students affected and placed in relief centres during this period were Kelantan with 17,873 students, Terengganu (3,893), and Kedah (1,580).
“The MOE is closely monitoring the flood situation and the management of affected education institutions. We remain attentive and committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of students, teachers, school staff, and MOE assets,” Fadhlina said.
— Bernama
