On the 12th of December 2021, the roof at a school in Muar, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Menanti supposedly collapsed due to “angin kuat” or strong gust of wind[1]. The incident occurred on a schooling day with 460 students out having their recess[2]. No casualties were reported, thankfully.
THE BIG PICTURE
This came just a week after a parliamentary written report by the Ministry of Education highlighting that there are 1,311 schools in Malaysia unsuited for teaching and learning[3].
- These schools are in Category 7 of the Public Works Department (Jabatan Kerja Raya)’s Infrastructure Physical Condition Scale.
- A Category 7 on the scale is equivalent to inadequate building and unsafe. The building is considered dangerous and if used, could result in life-threatening injuries.
- In the 12th Malaysian Plan, the Education Ministry allocated RM 1.004 billion to upgrade and redevelop the affected schools[3].
THE LATEST
According to the Ministry of Education’s press release following the roof collapse, the school is currently undergoing roof repairing works since August 2016 and is due for completion in January 2022[2]. The Ministry hired a school design consultant[2] to investigate and provide a detailed report on the roof collapse.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Despite the construction works, the school is still running and other academic blocks are utilised in normal schooling days. A huge tragedy may have been averted.
QUESTIONS YET TO BE ANSWERED
Did ‘angin kuat’ really cause the roof collapse or was it poor safety measures and the existing school infrastructures in Malaysia is unsafe?
Explore Our Sources:
- FMT Reporters. (2021). Angin kuat punca struktur bumbung SMK Seri Menanti runtuh. Free Malaysia Today. Link
- Malay Mail. (2021). Education Ministry orders school design consultants to look into roof collapse in Muar. Link
- A.Yunus. (2021). 1,311 unsafe schools in Malaysia, says Education Ministry. New Straits Times. Link
