MOE prepared for contingency plan should Covid-19, ILI cases rise

PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry is prepared to revive the contingency plan for schoolchildren should the increase in Covid-19 infection and Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cases gets out of control.

Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin however said the ministry must hold discussions and seek advice from the Health Ministry before making any decision.

ALSO READ: Covid-19: No more physical distancing in class, all students to return from May 1, says Radzi

"What is most important is that every protocol set by the MOH must be followed, the MOE will discuss with the Health Ministry on the approach to be taken (to curb the spread of infection).

"We have always been in discussion just to make sure, even though there is only a slight increase in Covid-19 and influenza cases,” he told reporters after launching the Tunas Malaysia League at Taman Pancarona Mini Stadium, here on Tuesday (July 19).

ALSO READ: Education Ministry to issue guidelines to teachers on uploading teaching sessions on social media

Also present was Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

On Monday (July 18), Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah informed that in the 28th Epidemiology Week (ME 28/2022) from July 10-16, Covid-19 cases increased by 23.4% while for ILI and severe acute respiratory infection cases increased by 8.5%.

ALSO READ: Radzi: School sessions to normalise without rotation system from Sunday (April 17)

Meanwhile, on the Tunas League organised in collaboration with the Youth and Sports Ministry, Radzi said it was a platform to identify new talents among schoolchildren.

"This inaugural programme is a school level football competition where eight best teams from each district will compete and they will go on to compete at the national level," he said adding that the programme was also part of the One Student One Sport Policy launched by the Education Ministry. - Bernama