Sabah quake: Visitors stream in to show support at Tanjong Katong Primary School
SINGAPORE — As news that five of their peers and one of their teachers have been identified as being among the dead at Mount Kinabalu broke, students of Tanjong Katong Primary School (TKPS) and their parents were streaming into the school, to show support for those affected.
The school has opened its doors to visitors since 10am this morning (June 7), where they can leave messages on cards or flowers until 7pm. It will remain open tomorrow and Tuesday, from 8am to 5pm.
As of 1pm, about 100 people have visited the centre. Among them was former student Ms Lee Yoo Jin, 17. Ms Lee was on the same programme — Omega Challenge — the deceased students and teachers were on when she was part of the Student Leaders’ Council at TKPS. “It didn’t feel real until I came to (the school),” said Ms Lee, now a first-year student at Victoria Junior College.
Teacher Mohammad Ghazi, who was on the latest fateful trip and remains unaccounted for, had led her on her trip five years ago. A teary-eyed Ms Lee said the Physical Education teacher, who is also in charge of the school hockey team, is a dedicated teacher.
Ms Audrey Lim, 42, was also present to show her support to the school after learning that her friend’s daughter died in the deadly earthquake. Both of her sons were former students of TKPS, and her elder son in particular was affected by news that Mr Ghazi remains missing, adding that her son meets him every year.
Ms Lee added that the school has been leading students on the trip to Mount Kinabalu for years and is very experienced. “I hope that the public won’t misunderstand this as the school being irresponsible for sending 12-year-old children,” she said.
Senior Minister of State for Education and Law Indranee Rajah, who visited TKPS in the afternoon commended the school's staff for working around the clock to support the parents of those affected.
"What is been very heartening is that they have this sort of strong sense of spirit supporting each other. In fact, ex-staff have come back to support them," she said.
Parents have also expressed appreciation for the support from the school. "We are very, very appreciative about that. I think for them, the relief that their children are back but deeply grieved and very sad for those who have not made it because many of them are friends of their children, they also know the other parents who have lost their children, and they also feel very close to teachers," said Ms Indranee.
She reiterated that the MOE has counsellors on standby to support the survivors and other children, as well as the parents, if required. "One parent said his girl was fine, one or two of the children I spoke to, you could see that it had affected them deeply and will take them some time to work through it," she said.
She added: "I think that for the families who are bereaved and even for those who went ... and came back, I think they should know that they have all the friends here who are supporting them, the staff, and the nation feels very deeply for those who have passed away."
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong arrived at the school in the evening. He penned a note of condolence, saying: "My heart weeps for them. Such young and promising lives."
"It was totally unexpected," said Mr Goh. He noted that the school, which is within the Marine Parade GRC, is "very much part of the marine parade family".
"It's a tightly knit community, so many young lives perished, teachers too, all starting their lives, it is quite a shock for all of us. I'm glad that the school is very well organized in terms of supporting fellow teachers and students and parents. MOE also plays a very important part in giving support to the school," he said, adding that he as well as other advisors and the community "will do what we can to support the school and the parents who are affected and the general school community".
