KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has mobilised 1,580 coaches from the Smart Support Team (SST) and Academic Support Team (AST) to assist students in flood relief centres with emotional and academic support. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said that the SST comprises experienced and trained volunteer guidance and counselling teachers who support the emotional well-being of students affected by the floods, while the AST helps students continue their education while at the relief centres.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadhlina Sidek explained during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat that after the evacuation, the next process involves emotional recovery. This involves mobilising all counsellors, including those from the Guidance and Counselling Unit, the Department of Social Welfare (JKM), and volunteer counsellors from the Ministry of Education. She was responding to a supplementary question from Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu) concerning the ministry’s steps to support
students’ emotional well-being in relief centres, particularly those taking the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

Fadhlina mentioned that 110 counsellors in Kelantan, 90 in Terengganu, and 110 in Kedah were specifically deployed to support students sitting for the SPM during the exam period. Under ‘Op Payung’, the ministry has taken responsibility to ensure that SPM candidates affected by the floods are accommodated in hostels for their comfort during the examination.

As of 8 am today, 7,212 students remain at relief centres located at school premises. 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). A total of 117 schools, including 93 primary and 24 secondary schools, continue to operate as flood relief centres.

Since the onset of the Northeast Monsoon on November 5, a total of 23,957 students have been housed in relief centres, with 470 educational institutions used as relief centres, includi
ng 392 primary schools, 77 secondary schools, and one vocational college. The states with the highest number of affected students in relief centres during this period were Kelantan with 17,873 students, Terengganu (3,893), and Kedah (1,580).

Fadhlina assured that the MOE is closely monitoring the flood situation and the management of affected educational institutions, remaining committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of students, teachers, school staff, and MOE assets.