CHAPTER 1 - REPORT OF THE EDUCATION AND PROMOTION WORKING GROUP The respective agencies must also look into the condition of roads, for example those leading to SK Pos Musuh in Perak, SK Bihai and SK Tohoi in Gua Musang, Kelantan, and SK Kg Peta and SK Kudung in Johor. These stretches are not properly maintained and the safety of the school community has been compromised. (ii) Right to clean water The MoE had initiated the ‘Clean Water Supply’ project to cover all rural schools in 2009. However, the Commission has observed that some still depend on untreated water from natural sources. Among these are SK Pos Betau in Kuala Lipis, Pahang and the hostel in SK Bidor in Bidor, Perak. The Commission has twice informed the MoE in writing about the problem, but there has been no reply to date. In the Government Response to the Commission’s Annual Report 2010, it was stated that the MoE had been notified and would upgrade the system under the Tenth Malaysia Plan. While the Commission welcomes the move, it would like to emphasise that clean water is a basic human right; hence, the MoE has to expedite the upgrading process. Water supply is also murky at the teachers’ quarters in an Orang Asli school The Commission has been informed that insufficient water supply has contributed to absenteeism in schools. Furthermore, the use of untreated water has exposed the school community to leptospirosis and water-borne diseases caused by pollution. (iii) Electricity supply During its visit to SK Pos Betau in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, the Commission observed that the school does not have round-the-clock electricity supply. The generator supplied to the school has broken down and has not been repaired despite several requests by the management. This has affected the well-being of the 581 students. 26

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