Mount Kinabalu Disaster

Deepest condolence to those who lost the lives of precious ones.

Natural disasters can hit like a bolt out of the blue.
But there appears to be risk-avoidance issues here.

First impression when we heard about Tanjong Katong Primary School kids being trapped at the mountain was disbelief.  Mount Kinabalu proper — as in not the outskirts but right on the mountain itself?  Primary 6 — as in Primary School — as in 12-year-olds? 

Wait a minute.  It can't be. 

Primary School kids are under-aged for this type of terrain. Is it motivated by a case of up-man-ship — where one has to look to more and more extreme activities to stand out from the rest?

At that age, there are so many more suitable adventurous places where one can receive experiences of impact.

This reminds of the South Korean Ferry Disaster where school kids (and their parents) look up to the school authorities to ensure a safe journey, but safety protocol was lacking.

Schools are given a lot of autonomy these days. 
There's good and bad.

The last time we dispute one school's approach on a certain subject, we were told they know best.

Do they?