KUALA LUMPUR – The Education Ministry explained yesterday that schools nationwide will reopen in stages according to the phases of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Education Minister Datuk Radzi Jidin said that schools in Phase 1 states would not reopen.
He clarified the matter as the ministry found that there were still some who mistakenly thought that all schools nationwide would reopen on October 3, even though details of the reopening were explained on Sunday.
Radzi said the findings were identified based on his observation of the feedback shared on various platforms, including social media, about his announcement of school reopenings on Sunday.
“From the feedback we received directly or through the media, including social media, we found that some still think that all schools in the country will reopen on October 3,” he said in a video recording shared with the media yesterday to explain how schools would operate.
Radzi said that for states in Phase 2 of the NRP, only primary schools with special needs pupils at Special Needs Public Schools (SKPK) and Integrated Special Education Programmes (PPKI) would reopen, while for secondary schools, only Form 6 students in Semester 2 who will be sitting for their Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examinations at the end of October will be involved.
“For states under Phase 3 of the NRP, apart from special needs pupils at SKPK and PPKI, pre-school pupils, Form 5 students, and other STPM students will be involved.
“For states under Phase 4 of the NRP, the first two weeks from October 3 to 17 will involve similar students to those in Phase 3 states, before expanding involvement to Years 1, 2 and 3 students from October 17 to 31, followed by Years 4, 5, and 6 (at the end of October),” he said.
For secondary schools, Radzi said learning sessions will begin with Forms 5 and 6 students from October 3 to 17, followed in stages by Forms 1, 2, 3, and 4 students.
He said the reopening, to be done in stages at 50% classroom capacity, was to ensure students could follow their studies closely in schools, and also attend school in a safe environment. – Bernama, September 14, 2021
