GEORGE TOWN – With the Covid-19 infection rate showing no significant sign of abating, the Penang government is calling for drastic action by closing schools with active cases in the state and reactivating home-based learning for pupils there.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government has been informed that the state Education Department is not allowed to order the closure of affected schools without the permission of the senior minister in charge of education.
“The Penang government hopes that the state Education Department can review the current risk assessment, based on advice from the state Health Department, for the safety of students, teachers and staff,” he said in a statement today.
He said the Home Teaching and Learning (PdPR) programme should be implemented in full again at affected schools.
Several schools have reported Covid-19 infections in their midst, prompting parents to keep their children away from the schools for fear of contracting the virus.
It is understood that, among the schools involved are SJK(C) Keng Koon in Simpang Ampat and Butterworth Vocational College in Seberang Prai Utara.
Over the past few weeks, Penang has been among the states in the peninsula to record the highest number of daily Covid-19 cases, alongside Selangor, Johor and Sarawak.
Yesterday, Penang recorded 175 new infections, contributing to a cumulative total of 13,749 cases since the pandemic began early last year. – The Vibes, March 17, 2021
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