KUALA LUMPUR – Education Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin today announced that schools will reopen in stages starting next month.
In a live address today, he said that classes for preschool, and Standard 1 and 2 will resume on March 1 while classes for Standard 3 to 6 will start on March 8.
He added that secondary schools in Group A (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu) will reopen on April 4 while those in Group B (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor) will start a day after.
“The reopening of secondary schools is in April to accommodate the SPM 2020 examinations. Hence, it has been decided that those schools will reopen after the term break that is scheduled from March 26-27 until April 3-4,” Radzi said.
Private primary and secondary schools will reopen on the same dates as public schools while international schools, private tertiary institutions and tuition centres will reopen from March 8.
Students of vocational colleges can start attending classes on campus beginning March 1.
Meanwhile, he said the SPM 2020 examinations will be conducted differently this year in line with strict adherence to standard operating procedures.
Previously, there would be just one hall designated for exam candidates, but this year, alternative rooms will be prepared as standby locations, he said.
As an example, he said there are special rooms for students who might display Covid-19 symptoms but without high body temperature, and transit rooms for students waiting between papers.
Radzi said learning institutions that have yet to register with the Education Ministry are advised to follow the same dates and SOPs. – The Vibes, February 19, 2021
