2 days ago
Kedah Education Dept told to monitor teacher's family hurt in Gerik crash
NIBONG TEBAL: The Education Ministry has instructed the Kedah Education Department to monitor the condition of a teacher couple and their two children who were involved in a crash near Tasik Banding, Gerik, early yesterday.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said she was informed that the teacher couple and their children are currently receiving treatment at Baling Hospital, and their welfare is under the ministry's supervision.
"Yesterday, we were informed that the Gerik accident also involved a teacher, who was driving a Perodua Alza, and his family.
"So we have instructed the Kedah Education Department to take responsibility and closely monitor the condition of the teacher and his family.
"This teacher is currently receiving treatment along with his family. In terms of welfare and monitoring, the matter is under the ministry's attention," she told reporters at the Student Reception Ceremony for the Sixth Form Education Programme at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Engineering Campus here today.
Fadhlina said this when she was asked to comment on the assistance to be given to the teacher couple who were injured along with their two children in the accident.
In the 1.10am incident yesterday, the Perodua Alza car driven by teacher, Mohd Lutfi Radzi, 37, was rammed by a bus carrying 42 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students from Jerteh, Terengganu to the university campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak.
The tragic incident killed 15 students and injured another 26, while the wife and two children of the teacher driving the Perodua Alza were also injured and are currently receiving treatment at Baling Hospital.
Also injured were the 40-year-old bus driver and his 54-year-old assistant.
Meanwhile, Fadhlina said that following the accident, she reiterated that the Education Ministry has strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place regarding the use of buses for student trips or excursions outside school grounds.
"These SOPs have been clearly outlined through official letters, including approval requirements and specific conditions such as visit timings. For example, if a programme must end by midnight or involves an overnight stay, there are specific rules that must be followed.
"Teachers and accompanying personnel, as well as vehicles transporting students, must meet several specifications and pass safety inspections before students are allowed to travel with the group.
"At the ministry level, we take note of such incidents and continue to re-emphasise these rules and reminders to all schools and accompanying teachers ahead of future trips," she said.
