PUTRAJAYA – The Education Ministry has no plans to revert to starting the school session in January in the near future, said Education Director-General Datuk Pkharuddin Ghazali.
He said the Education Act 1996 requires a 190-day school session in a year, and reverting to January will also involve sacrificing school holidays.
“We can revert (the school session to January) quickly by sacrificing the available holidays. So, if there are no school holidays, when can teachers, students and parents take a break?
“… We have to maintain 190 days and move it little by little. It is not something that can be implemented in a short period, (it) will take several years with sacrifices from all parties,” he told reporters at a media conference for a mandate ceremony held in conjunction with the opening of the 2023/2024 school session here today.
Pkharuddin said the current school session should be seen positively as the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination would be held during the four-week holiday in February and March to avoid the monsoon season.
“We are trying our best to provide the best convenience to all parties,” he added. – Bernama, March 15, 2023