THE Ministry of Education is awaiting instructions from the Ministry of Health on possible face mask requirements in schools following reports of increased influenza cases.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said MOE had no problem implementing instructions from MOH to prevent the spread of the infectious disease.
"If there are guidelines and instructions from MOH, we will follow them and there is no problem on our end in implementing any instructions or recommendations from MOH.
"We are still waiting for the instructions (on wearing face masks) from MOH," she said when asked to comment on claims of several schools in Penang had made face masks mandatory to curb influenza spread.
Earlier, she said MOE will prioritise overall safety measures in organising school sports activities to prevent incidents like the recent student death during a rugby tournament.
She said her ministry will focus on ensuring medical teams are prepared for every sporting event organised in schools from now on.
“Actually, students have already been reminded about health aspects, and we have requested parents to provide health information to the school,” she added. - October 5, 2025