KUALA LUMPUR – Ahead of the resumption of in-person classes at universities on Friday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad said these institutions will not shut if Covid-19 cases are detected on the premises.
During Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today, Noraini (Parit Sulong-BN) said infected students will be placed in isolation or at quarantine centres provided by their varsities.
“The universities do not need to be closed. However, in-person classes for these students will be postponed.
“I was informed before this that there are two options: students can choose to attend face-to-face or online classes.”
She was responding to Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir (Johor Baru-PH), who asked about the strategies that will be taken by the ministry to avoid a recurrence of the confusion and commotion when campuses were abruptly closed last year.
Noraini said if a university records a large-scale coronavirus outbreak, it is the Health Ministry’s call on whether to close the institution.
“If the institution records a serious number of infections, the closure will be decided based on recommendations from the Health Ministry.”
Higher education institutions will reopen in stages nationwide from Friday to fully vaccinated students.
Noraini said when students return to campus this week, they will be screened using Covid-19 self-test kits.
“This is to monitor and curb potential infections even though they have been fully vaccinated.
“They will be tested every now and then. This is to ensure they are always in good health.”
As of October 1, she said, 83%, or 951,739 students, of the 1.15 million in higher education institutions nationwide had been fully inoculated, while the figure for staff stood at 90% (117,721).
As of October 8, there were 2,286 students (0.2%) yet to be vaccinated due to health reasons. – The Vibes, October 11, 2021
