The Sabah Education Department has denied viral allegations on social media claiming that a teacher was forced to walk while carrying rice for hostel students at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pinawantai, Ranau.
State Education Director Raisin Saidin said there are two schools in Sabah with the same name, located in Kudat and Ranau respectively, but clarified that neither school has a hostel facility and both are situated near main roads.
He said all teachers at both schools commute using their own vehicles, dismissing claims that staff were involved in transporting supplies to any boarding facility.
“The Sabah Education Department is deeply concerned over a viral issue on social media involving SK Pinawantai, Ranau.
“There are two schools in Sabah with the same name, SK Pinawantai in Kudat and SK Pinawantai in Ranau. Both schools do not have hostels and are located near main roads, with teachers using their own transport to commute,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
He stressed that there is no issue involving teachers carrying rice for delivery to a school hostel, as claimed online.
The school’s headmaster has also denied the allegations, stating that no such incident occurred and clarifying that there is no teacher named Farhan at the school.
The Education Department urged the public to be more responsible when sharing content related to education issues, especially on social media.
It added that both the Ministry of Education and the Sabah Education Department remain committed to improving the quality of education in the state.
