KUCHING: Schools outside Covid-19 red zones may also be closed if there is a need, said Senior Minister (Education) Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.
He pointed out that Kedah is not a red zone yet but several schools had been closed to curb the spread of the virus.
“This is more to risk assessment and risk management,” he said in reply to additional questions from Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii in Parliament yesterday with regard to the criteria used for the postponement of schools.
Meanwhile, he said that home-based learning would be continued for students unable to return to school just yet.
“This is important, especially for students who will sit for examinations.”
Earlier, in reply to a question from Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching, Mohd Radzi said that the Education Ministry (MoE) had gotten considerations and advice from the Health Ministry (MoH) and National Security Council (MKN) to ensure that conditions are safe for students to return to school.
He said that at the state level, MoE continuously monitored developments in the schooling sessions through the State Education Department (JPN) and District Education Offices (PPD).
“In relation to this, MoE, through the JPN director, will discuss with all relevant parties to see if there is a need to close schools to curb the spread of Covid-19 in any areas involved.”
He noted that the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee, with the agreement of MoE, had decided to postpone the reopening of 213 schools from last Monday to Aug 17 — involving 87 schools under PPD Kuching, 99 schools under PPD Padawan, and 27 schools under PPD Samarahan.
