JELEBU, Jan 10 — It was beyond ordinary first day of school experience for students from Kampung Bemban, near here, when they went to their respective schools today by boarding a Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) combat boat.
The main road to the schools located in Kampung Jerang was cut off when the bridge linking the two villages was swept away by the recent floods.
As early as 6.30 am, the MAF boat was ready to ferry about 20 students to school crossing Sungai Triang.
The 12-foot combat boat is equipped with life jackets for the use of students from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Durian Tipus, SK Simpang Durian, SK Sungai Buloh and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Triang Hilir.
Nur Syuhada Zainal, 10, said she was elated and excited to attend her first day of face-to-face lessons today.
“Even though it was less than five minutes journey, it was my first boat ride…prior to this, my mother would drive me to school,” she said.
SK Durian headmaster Tipus Masrawati Mat Ali said several teachers and officers from the Jempol and Jelebu District Education Office worked together to ensure that the students arrived at school and returned home safely.
Parents were also seen waiting on the other side of the river before their children finished school to bring them home.
Meanwhile, a Bernama check found that works for the construction of a new bridge were being carried out by the Public Works Department.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency