JITRA – Covid-19 infections involving students following the opening of face-to-face school sessions for states under Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan are monitored accordingly, said Education Minister Datuk Radzi Md Jidin.
He said the situation was under control, considering the total number of schools nationwide, which is more than 10,000.
“Generally, in the current situation where we are in the transition to the endemic phase, we know that this virus is all around us. Alhamdulillah, the SOPs (standard operating procedures) are effective and work well,” he told reporters after the handing over of digital education contributions at the Institute of Teachers Education, Darul Aman campus, Jitra.
He was commenting on the outbreak at Sekolah Seri Puteri, a residential school in Cyberjaya, which was ordered to close temporarily after 135 new Covid-19 cases involving students and staff were detected.
The media also reported that 24 male students of Maktab Mahmud Sik tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday after showing symptoms since November 28. Additionally, three teachers from Maktab Rendah Sains Mara Pendang also tested positive for the virus and were ordered to undergo home surveillance.
Radzi said the cause of the infection at the schools concerned was still under investigation by the respective district health offices.
In the context of these schools, we are very meticulous about hostels... very detailed SOPs are implemented because the risk is when there is a case, the potential for infection is there.
“In hostels, the risk of spreading is higher than in day schools, because in dormitories they are there all day, sitting together with friends without wearing the face mask. We will continue to monitor to ensure that the situation is orderly and safe for students,” he added.
Radzi, however, said he was glad that almost all of the students that tested positive for the Covid-19 had completed their vaccination and were classified under category one (asymptomatic) and category 2A with mild symptoms.
“So for students who have not yet received the vaccine, but are eligible for it, I appeal to the parents to bring their children for the vaccination for the safety of their own children.
“This also goes for teachers who have not received the vaccination yet,” he added.
Meanwhile, Radzi said the ministry would take stern action against school management that tries to conceal Covid-19 cases involving its teachers and students.
He said schools were required to report Covid-19 cases involving their students or staff immediately.
On a separate matter, Radzi said the ministry was now focusing on resolving several key issues, including ensuring that the opening of schools could be implemented safely and in an orderly manner as well as improving educational infrastructure.
“We want to focus on making sure that our children can study in a conducive environment,” he added. – Bernama, December 4, 2021
