Education Ministry: Closure of schools to be decided together with NSC

PETALING JAYA: Any decision made by the Education Ministry on the closure of schools due to Covid-19 will be based on in-depth research from available data, says Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin (pic) said.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday (Oct 7), the Education Minister said decisions were also made based on discussions with the Health Ministry and the National Security Council (NSC).

“Some may feel that the ministry is slow to make decisions when, in fact, we are not.

“No one in the world has past experience in dealing with the Covid-19 crisis. It has never happened.

“However, we have learnt in recent months what the appropriate approaches are in certain situations, ” he said.

Radzi said any decision on the closure of schools nationwide, if necessary, would be made at the National Security Council’s special session on the management of Covid-19, upon advice from the Health Ministry.

“I have received many views and suggestions from various parties on the need to close schools as there is an increase in cases.

“I appreciate all the suggestions given. I am aware of the concern of parents who have school-going children.

“We at the ministry are constantly monitoring the situation in schools throughout the country, ” he added.

Due to a spike in Covid-19 cases, the ministry has ordered all schools in Covid-19 red zones to close starting from Wednesday until Oct 23.

The order involved 142 schools in Klang and 242 schools in Sandakan, Papar and Tuaran in Sabah.

The ministry said the schools encompass all primary and secondary schools under the ministry, as well as private schools registered with the ministry.

“Students and teachers will resume home-based learning during this time, ” it said in a statement.