MIRI – Federal and state authorities have agreed to close all schools in Sarawak’s Covid-19 high-risk districts for six weeks, said a source.
A senior management staffer at a school here told The Vibes that the institution’s board was informed of the decision following a meeting of the state government and Education Ministry.
“There is nothing yet in black and white.
“Schools have not received a circular from the state Education Department, but we heard that all primary and secondary schools in districts categorised as Covid-19 red zones in Sarawak will remain closed until June 13.
“That period covers the official school holidays, Hari Raya public holiday and beyond.”
It is unclear if schools outside red zones will also be shut, said the source.
“We are still waiting for the black and white.
“As of now, the state Education Department’s head office in Kuching has not sent out a circular.”
Two days ago, the Nangka assemblyman said a decision will be made as to whether Sarawak should close all of its primary and secondary schools in view of the state’s worsening coronavirus situation.
Dr Annuar Rapaee, who is also Sarawak public health and housing assistant minister, and coordinator of the Sibu division Disaster Management Committee (DMC), said a meeting has been arranged by the state DMC with the state Education Department and Education Ministry.
Holiday or no holiday, schools in Sarawak COVID19 red zone districts will stay physically CLOSED until 13 June 2021
Posted by Dr Sim Kui Hian on Tuesday, April 27, 2021
“Due to the steady rise in the number of students and teachers getting infected with Covid-19, there are increasing calls from all quarters to shut down all schools,” he said in a dialogue with Sibu folk on social media.
“The state DMC has tabled a proposal to the state Education Department (head office in Kuching) and Education Ministry (in Putrajaya) for schools to be closed for the next two weeks, at least, and beyond, if needed.”
He has asked the state DMC to consider extending the closure of schools for as long as Covid-19 infections remain high.
“Close for two weeks first, and then, we’ll evaluate the situation.
“Extend the closure after that if the situation is still serious.”
He said in Sibu alone, cases have spread to 85 primary and secondary schools, and preschools.
The Vibes has learnt that some 200 schools and preschools statewide have reported infections among students and teachers over the past month.
In the district here, more than 400 students have contracted the disease, said Miri DMC chairman Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
Sarawak is seeing increasingly high levels of new infections. Its death toll stands at 165 out of some 30,000 infections as of yesterday evening.
State Education, Science and Technology Research Minister Datuk Michael Manyin Jawong later confirmed to local media that the Education Ministry has given the green light for schools in Sarawak’s red zones to close until June 13.
And, state Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian confirmed the matter in a Facebook post. – The Vibes, April 28, 2021
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