94,000 students head back to school for in-person classes

KUALA LUMPUR – Face-to-face school sessions commenced today for 94,000 students in 10 states in Phase 2 to 4 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

It involved students in Penang, Perak and Sabah, which are in Phase 2; Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Melaka, Perlis, Pahang and Sarawak (Phase 3); and, Negri Sembilan and Labuan (Phase 4).

The opening of the schools today involved semester two Form 6 students, international examination classes, students with special needs (MBK) and the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI), who will be attending classes without rotation, according to provisions in Phase 2 of the NRP.

In Negri Sembilan and Labuan, preschool, MBK and PPKI students, students sitting public and international examinations who are in boarding schools, day schools and also private schools, resumed in-person classes, as provided under Phase 3.

Yesterday, the face-to-face school sessions began in Terengganu, Kelantan and Langkawi after schools nationwide were closed for about six months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Schools in Johor and Kedah will open in stages for face-to-face learning from October 10. 

In Putrajaya, a check at SMK Putrajaya Precinct 11 (1) found it was a hive of activity from as early 7.15am, as parents and guardians began arriving to send their children.

Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president Kahrul Anuar Arsib said about 50 students with special needs began their face-to-face school session today.

In Perlis, state Education Committee chairman Rozieana Ahmad said more than 50% of the total 8,297 student enrolment were in school today.

They comprised Form 5 and Form 6 students, as well as PPKI and preschool students, and they all complied strictly to the stipulated standard operating procedures (SOPs), she added.

In Perak, state Education, Higher Education and Human Resource Committee chairman Ahmad Saidi Mohamad Said said the school session went smoothly, with students arriving as 6.30am and complying with SOPs.

In Pahang, face-to-face school sessions commenced today for 2,125 Form 6 students and 747 teachers, as well as 3,091 special needs students, comprising 2,751 secondary school students and 340 primary school students.

In Selangor, SK Raja Muda headmistress Zuraidah Abd Azizi said the school had a total enrolment of 84 PPKI students and today, 46 out of 74 who are allowed to attend were present.

In Melaka, state Secretary Datuk Ts Kamel Mohamad said that 3,000 students commenced classes in 145 secondary and primary schools in the state.

“Overall, I was informed by the Education Department that the opening of schools in Melaka is going smoothly and the schools have made the necessary preparations to ensure compliance with SOPs set,” he said.

In Sabah, state Education director (JPNS) Datuk Mistirine Radin said almost 17,000 students or about 3% of students in the state attended face-to-face school sessions today, which also involved the presence of 3,000 teachers. – Bernama, October 4, 2021