KUALA LUMPUR: A study is being conducted to allow more student cohorts to return to the classroom for face-to-face learning, says Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin.
The Education Minister told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Dec 13) that this includes students in primary schools, adding that the study will be conducted with the Health Ministry.
"We are looking into this and we will reveal the details at the nearest time," he said while wrapping up for his ministry's 2022 Budget at the committee level on Monday.
Radzi said the ministry had made the decision to only allow only students who are sitting for their examinations to return as long as their school has recorded a vaccination rate of over 90%.
This involves students in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Vokasional Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia classes, as well as international examination classes such as IGCSE O-Level, A-Level, Australia Higher School Certificate and IBD classes.
Meanwhile, on the question of providing better food under the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) for school children from hardcore poor families, he pointed that several MPs had raised that the allocation of RM2.50 per student was insufficient.
"So, we take note of this and consider that the RM2.50 amount is a bit low considering the current situation and the required menu," said Radzi.
"This is currently being discussed at the ministry level as well as federal agencies, on the best approach that can be adopted to allow us to give the best to our children," he added.
Radzi said that aside from that, there are students under the RMT programme who still come to school although it is not their turn to to be present as they wanted to take the food assistance under the programme
"This matter is also being looked at by the Ministry to find the best approach to help these students," added Radzi.
