KUALA LUMPUR – In-person classes will be conducted at 50% capacity, with students taking turns by week to attend, in states under Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) when schools reopen on October 3, said Education Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.
In a press conference today, he said students will be divided into two groups for this purpose, and that the attendance cap is in line with NRP.
“This means that each class will be divided into two groups, and they will take turns attending physical classes. Half of the students in a given classroom will attend in-person classes for one week, and the other half will be present the following week.
“Students not attending physical classes will follow lessons online as usual.
“This also takes into account the nature of the Delta variant, and how it spreads.”
However, the rotation system will not be implemented for special needs students, Form 6 students in their second semester, International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) Year 2 students, boarding school students, students sitting international examinations, preschoolers aged 4 to 6, and at schools with low enrolment (fewer than 150 students).
Students in Phase 1 states – currently Johor and Kedah – are not required to attend physical classes.
Primary and secondary school students in Phase 2 states are not required to attend physical classes except for special needs students, Form 6 students, students sitting international exams, and students attending sports schools.
“Many parents of special needs students have requested for their children to return to school,” said Radzi.
“We have discussed this matter with the Health Ministry and National Security Council, which have allowed these students to return to school beginning in NRP Phase 2 states.”
Apart from Form 6 students in their second semester, he said, second-year IBDP students, and third-semester pre-university students at sports schools – special needs students and candidates for international exams, namely IGCSE, O-Levels, A-Levels, Australian Higher School Certificate and IBDP – will be allowed to attend schools in states under Phase 2.
“This is because the students will be sitting their exams soon. To reduce the pressure on these students, they will be able to attend classes without rotation.”
Preschool students in Phase 3 states will be allowed to resume classes, while regular primary and secondary school students will continue their lessons online.
Students in Phase 3 states sitting international and major public exams are to attend physical classes on a rotation basis. Pre-university students enrolled in sports schools, and those in exam classes at boarding schools must attend in-person classes without rotation.
Primary school pupils in Phase 4 states do not need to attend physical classes between October 3/4 and 17/18, except for those with special needs and preschoolers.
From October 17/18 to October 31/November 1, pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6 will undergo online classes, while those in Years 1, 2 and 3 will attend physical classes on rotation.
From October 31/November 1 to December 10/11, primary school pupils in Phase 4 states will attend physical classes on rotation.
From October 31/November 1 to December 10/11, primary school pupils in Phase 4 states will attend physical classes on rotation.
“This is a step-by-step process to ensure the reopening of schools runs smoothly, while the safety of our children is prioritised,” said Radzi.
For Phase 4 states, from October 17/18 to October 31/November 1, students in Remove classes, and Forms 1 and 2 will continue their lessons online, while those in Forms 3 and 4 will attend physical classes on rotation. Forms 3 and 4 students at boarding schools will attend in-person classes not on a rotation basis.
From October 31/November 1 to December 10/11, students at all secondary schools, including private, international and expatriate institutions, in Phase 4 states will attend physical classes on rotation.
Pupils set to start Year 1 next year will begin their term slightly later, as classes will begin only in March.
The term holiday at year-end, meanwhile, will be between December 10/11 and 31. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021
