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Kota Kinabalu: Five primary schools were shut due to flash floods on Wednesday, affecting 861 pupils, mostly in Kudat. A total of nine schools located in low-lying areas in Kudat and three in Sandakan were affected by the flooding three days after school reopened this year.

However, only SK Barambangon, SK Muhibbah, SK Dampirit, SK Lokoton in Kudat and SK Ladang Sandak in Sandakan had to be closed.

The incident came one week after flooding affected 11 other schools in Tawau, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Belud, which was five days before the new school session commenced this year.

Major flooding in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia had earlier prompted the Education Ministry to reopen schools later by one week this year, on Jan 12.

According to State Education Director Datuk Jame Alip, replacement classes would be held at a suitable period once the situation turned better.

Meanwhile, Jame announced school-going children of Malaysian citizens are entitled to receive the RM100 1Malaysia School Special Assistance.

At present, 26,631 pre-schoolers, 41,414 Year One pupils, 849 students in Bridge Class and 42,487 Form One students will benefit from the cash aid, involving 1,071 primary schools and 219 secondary schools.

He warned no schools should deduct the amount as the aid was meant to help parents cope with the cost sending children to school.