Schools have option of holding online sessions if cases rise, says education ministry

The education ministry has given primary and secondary schools the option of having home-based learning and teaching (PdPR) sessions in the event of a drastic rise in Covid-19 cases.

Deputy Education Minister Mohamad Alamin said the education ministry was now focusing on students sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examinations.

“Yes, we are giving that option to primary and secondary schools… Form One to Form Four students need not attend physical classes in school.

“They can have PdPR sessions and primary schools can also apply for PdPR sessions if there is a risk of Covid-19 spreading. We are always flexible about this and carry out risk assessments from time to time,” he told Bernama after a working visit to SMK Bandar Putra 2 in Kulai today.

Alamin said the education ministry had provided schools with guidelines on SOPs about how to deal with any eventuality in the event of Covid-19 infections.

“The guidelines are already there. The health ministry and district health offices are always there to assist the education ministry, and should there be (Covid-19) cases, we will report them and they will carry out risk assessments.

“If it involves hostels, the health ministry will assess if the premises need to be shut down… If cases are too high, we will close them, and if they aren’t, we will take measures to minimise the risk of the virus spreading further,” he said.

Alamin also said the education ministry would decide soon on the implementation of the Form Three Assessment (PT3) examination for the 2022 session.

“We are still discussing the matter… I believe Education Minister Radzi Jidin will be making an announcement on it soon,” he said.