Schools can't handle floods and polls at the same time, warns education minister

The education ministry today said that now is not a good time to hold the 15th general election (GE15), given that school personnel, especially teachers and administrators, will be involved in the management of polling centres as well as flood evacuations. 

Education Minister Radzi Jidin also said that it was a very risky period as the country would be facing the possibility of floods due to the monsoon season.

Speaking at a press conference in Selangor, he also cited the restructuring of the education sector following the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Traditionally, he said, schools are accompanying components in both flood and election season. 

He said teachers and school personnel would be involved in both scenarios, with school buildings themselves used as well. 

"This is why I said earlier, it is as if we have no other time to hold this election," he added when asked about the ministry's preparations in the event that GE15 is held in the near future. 

"Why do we need to hold it now? If we talk about the people's interests, we should know how important this period is," he said.  

Yesterday, Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin also voiced opposition to an early election, urging the government to instead prepare for the end-year flood season. 

He said holding GE15 during the flood season would only burden the people.

Radzi meanwhile said his ministry was implementing a number of initiatives to ensure that the education sector is on firm footing. 

"This is why our stand is that priority should be given to the people's welfare," he added. 

"Our children should be given the best."