KOTA KINABALU: Almost 1,000 students in Sabah are back to studying online after their schools were hit by floods.

       These 985 students are from Beaufort district – SMK St Paul, SK Lago, SK Bukau; Tenom – SK Gumisi, SK Ladong Sapong, SJKC Yuk Syn, SK Inubai; and Penampang’s SK Tombovo.

       State Education Department director Datuk Mistirine Radin said online learning could be extended for schools in Beaufort and Tenom as the flood situation was still bad there.

       “For Penampang, teachers are already cleaning up school compounds and classrooms following flash floods there,” she said, adding that pupils in this district should be able to resume classes today.

       “Our priority is the safety of our students and staff, online sessions will be held as long as needed.”

       She also reported that teachers and pupils of SK Tomani in Tenom had to use alternative routes as one of the main roads heading to the school had collapsed due to floods.

       In SK Gumisi, there is a power and telecommunications failure.

       Meanwhile, three villages in Tenom and 36 in Beaufort district were affected by floods which started on Monday.

       Several main roads at these affected areas are only accessible by larger vehicles.

       A total of 100 people in Tenom had been evacuated as of 2pm yesterday.