KUCHING: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has decided to postpone the resumption of 138 secondary and primary schools in Kuching, Padawan, and Samarahan districts to August 3.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that this decision involved transition classes, Form One to Four, Lower Form Six, and Primary Five and Six which had initially been scheduled to reopen on July 15, as well as Primary One to Four.
“A total of 138 schools have been identified, of which 87 are in Kuching, 48 in Padawan, and three in Samarahan.
“Pre-school classes, Form Five, and Upper Form Six will continue their schooling sessions as usual,” he said at the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Covid-19 daily update press conference on Tuesday (July 14).
He explained that the decision had been made following the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in Kuching, which parents had expressed their concern over.
The decision, he added, had been made based on the advice of the State Health Department (JKNS) and National Security Council (MKN) Sarawak, as well as agreement between all parties including the State Education Department.
“For schools in green zones outside Kuching, Padawan, and Samarahan districts, the reopening of schools will begin as scheduled on July 15,” said Uggah, who is also SDMC chairman.
Meanwhile, he said that for social ceremonies involving large gatherings, the limit of 250 attendees would continue to be imposed for Kuching.
“However, other districts which are green zones can increase the capacity according to the standard operating procedure (SOP) which has been issued,” he said.
List of Postponed Schools
A. Number of schools according to District Education Office (PPD)
B. Number of schools according to local authority
C. List of schools affected in Kuching
D. List of schools affected in Padawan
E. List of schools affected in Samarahan
