Tanjong Katong Primary School sets up corner for Sabah quake victims

SINGAPORE — A tribute corner at Tanjong Katong Primary School (TKPS) was set up this morning (Jun 7) for the public to send their condolences to those who died following the earthquake in Sabah on Friday. Those dead from the school include six students and one teacher.

Among the first visitors to the school were Dr Satya Tiwari, 50, and her children. Dr Tiwari has four children between the ages of 11 and 17 — her three elder girls were former students of TKPS and her youngest son is a current pupil. Her second and third daughters have previously gone on the Mount Kinabalu expedition with the school.

Dr Tiwari, who volunteers at the school, said the school community is tightly-knit and that she has nothing but praise for the school’s dedicated teachers. She added that her two daughters had blossomed after they went on their expeditions and that the in their self-esteem at home and in their studies was evident.

She also said that the teachers at the school took time off on Saturdays to train students for the climb. This includes runs at East Coast Park and scaling steps with weighted backpacks at Marine Parade. But she also stressed that the trip was more a mental challenge than a physical one and that her children were more than equipped to make the climb.

When asked by reporters if she would allow her son to go on the expedition next year, Dr Satya said she would “seriously consider the trip” if the school opts for a different location as she has full faith in the school.

The corner will be open until 5pm today, and from 8am-5pm tomorrow and Tuesday.  CHANNEL NEWSASIA, ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SIAU MING EN/TODAY