Second Deputy Minister of Education P. Kamalanathan plans to visit schools more regularly to understand issues, reach out to teachers and expedite infrastructure work.

"Our teachers must be commended for the high commitment and sacrifices made. They are willing to teach even in uncomfortable conditions but the students need a conducive environment in order to focus on their studies.

"The educational process will continue although they face numerous constraints," he said told reporters after visiting SMK Pulau Nyior, near here Tuesday.

Kedah Education Department Director Datuk Mansor Lat was also present.

Earlier, Kamalanathan visited SJKT Darul Aman and SJKC Hwa Min while in Sungai Petani, he visited SMK Datuk Bijaya Setia and SJKT Saraswathy.

He would seek a new site to build SJKT Darul Aman which has 113 pupils but still has temporary status after 30 years of operation in Taman Tan Sri Osman Aroff .

An application for a new school site was submitted to the Kedah state government in 2006 but no suitable site was found.

Kamalanatahan, who is also Chairman of the Audit and School Infrastructure Committee, said SJKC Hwa Min in Tunjang, Jitra would be given financial aid.

Allocation of RM580,000 to repair the roofs of two buildings of SMK Pulau Nyior was waiting for approval.