The three-month ‘school holiday’ will come to an end for 500,444 students from government and international schools as schools are set to re-open on June 24.
However, only those sitting for exams – Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) and international examinations of equal standard – need to return to school.
Education Miniser Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin assured parents the ministry was confident students will be able to learn in a safe environment in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The SOPs outlined by the Education Ministry with help from the National Security Council and the Health Ministry include having the temperature of students checked at the entrance by teachers. There will also be no sports and extra curricular activities and assemblies will be on hold for the time being.
All staff including security personnel, canteen operators or anyone entering the school compound, like suppliers, will be screened.
“Please do not send your child to school if they experience symptoms like fever, cough, cold, sore throat and breathing difficulties,” Mohd Radzi said, adding the ministry had no problems if parents insist they want their children to wear face masks in school,” he said.
“Common areas which are commonly touched by students will also be disinfected regularly,” he said, adding the ministry was still studying if there is a need to re-look this year’s academic calendar and also if there was a need for students to attend school in December.
Dr Radzi also said as there are still two more weeks before school resumes, spot checks will be carried out randomly to ensure all schools are ready in line with conditions and SOPs that have been set.
“We have already informed state and district education departments to go to the ground to conduct random checks and even those in the Education Ministry will join these visits,” he said.
Dr Radzi said online learning will continue for students who are not sitting for exams.
Earlier, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said traffic on major highways and roads was still smooth on the first day of the Restricted Movement Control Order.
“The police expect an increase in vehicles from Friday to Sunday as we believe people will return to their kampung to visit their families in conjunction with Hari Raya,” he said.
“Please adhere to the SOPs especially at rest and service areas … when you use the toilets, at the eating area. The police will be stationed at these areas to ensure the public adhere to the SOPs”.
Ismail Sabri also said the army will continue assisting the police throughout the RMCO period along with personnel from the Civil Defence Department, People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) and local councils.
He also stressed that Malaysians returning from abroad will have to undergo self-quarantine at home or risk being fined up to RM1,000 or charged in court.
