MARA has ordered 34 Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) nationwide to implement home teaching and learning (PDPR) following the spread of influenza among its students.
The proactive measure was taken by MARA management after each MRSM recorded more than 50 cases of influenza infection.
MARA chairman, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said that following the spread, so far 2,724 MRSM students nationwide have been identified as being infected with the virus.
"Since the spread of the case, MARA has instructed all MRSM principals to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and welfare of students are protected.
"Among the measures implemented include providing immediate treatment to students with influenza symptoms at health clinics or hospitals, isolating sick students from healthy ones and ensuring the use of face masks," he told Berita Harian.
Asyraf Wajdi said MARA also ordered that students be supplied with sufficient boiled water, temporarily suspend any outdoor activities and ensure that schools are always in close contact with the District Health Office and comply with all advice given.
"MARA's main priority is the welfare and safety of all school staff. All preventive measures are being implemented continuously to curb the spread of this infection," he said.
More than 50 cases of infection
Earlier, via a post on Facebook, Asyraf Wajdi said that MARA had instructed any MRSM that recorded more than 50 cases of influenza to be allowed to direct its students to return home and hold classes on a PDPR basis to break the chain of the virus and carry out the sanitation process.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health in a statement revealed that 97 clusters of Influenza A and B infections were reported in Epidemiology Week (ME) 40/2025, compared to 14 clusters in the previous week with the majority involving educational institutions.
According to the MOH, all states reported an increase including the five highest states, namely Selangor with 43 clusters, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (15), Penang (10), Johor (9) and Kedah (5).
The majority of clusters were reported to occur in secondary schools (32 clusters), primary schools (26), kindergartens (15) and private schools (9). - October 12, 2025
