It is now 2024, and education is supposed to be accessible for all.
However, these children in Sabah had to wade through mud just to get to their school.
The video posted by Daily Express Sabah on X (formerly known as Twitter) showed many Malaysians the harsh reality that they face in getting an education.
Pupils of SK Magandai, Kota Marudu, waded through mud on their way to school on Jan 13th 2024, following heavy rain that rendered a challenge even to the best 4×4 vehicle.
The pupils had to make an overnight stop to continue their muddy journey to school the next day. pic.twitter.com/KcxQQFetpo
— Daily Express Malaysia (@DailyExpress_MY) January 20, 2024
According to the tweet, this occurred on January 13 after a night of heavy rain. The water from the rain turned the dirt roads into just mud, and the children passing through had to wade through it.
It is said that it was so muddy to the point that even the best 4×4 would have trouble going through it.
“The pupils had to make an overnight stop to continue their muddy journey to school the next day.”
In the video recorded by their teacher, the children were all smiles even after braving through the muddied roads and being covered in mud.
When asked about how they felt, they said:
“We were hungry and cold, we were shivering.”
Their teacher reassured them and said that they had reached their destination, and she made them food.
Many Malaysians in the comments were heartbroken and furious that the children have to go through this to get a basic right.
In a reply, Sabah’s Minister of Finance has said that a 40km road is in the works from Kg Tondig to Sk Magandai, and as a temporary measure, he has suggested that a hostel be built for students who live far away.
We certainly hope that the government will look at this matter seriously. These children should have easy access to education and not need to go through hardship just to earn what is their basic right.
Also read: Dedicated Sabahan Principal Lived In School Storeroom For More Than 3 Years
