Cheras school’s roof collapses, no casualties reported

 

The public works department had been asked to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the school after yesterday’s incident. (Bernama pic)

KAJANG: The roof of one of the buildings at SMK Cheras Jaya here collapsed yesterday but no casualties were reported.

Deputy education minister Lim Hui Ying said the school management had evacuated the block after small fragments of cement fell from the roof at 12.40pm.

“At 1.18pm, there was a major collapse. We are thankful that no teachers or students were in that area, which is used for school assemblies.

“The headmistress reported the matter to the education ministry, district education office (PPD) and the fire and rescue department. Now, we are waiting for a report from the public works department (JKR) before taking further action,” she told a press conference at the school today.

Lim said that in January the school had reported to the PPD about structural damage to the building and asked for maintenance work to be carried out.

“In March this year, the Selangor education department received a letter from the Hulu Langat PPD informing it about the damage. We were prepared to carry out the maintenance work, estimated to cost RM450,000.

“Unfortunately, the roof gave way before we could start the maintenance work. Now, it is going to be a more costly project,” she said.

Lim said the ministry would ask JKR to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the school to ensure it is safe for use.

“The school sessions are going on as usual. The damage affected two classrooms, a computer lab, a science lab and some other classrooms,” she said. - FMT