Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin, Education Minister has recognised the challenges that may prevail when schools reopen after the Movement Control Order (MCO) is lifted and that includes ensuring social distancing among students during lesson time and around the school compound.
All schools will be informed two weeks in advance before the actual opening day.
New norms for schools will include hosting half the usual amount of students; 17 students maximum per classroom.
“Large classes (however) can house a little over 20 students,” he said during a live tv Teachers Day interview, while adding that schools may alternatively utilise school halls as makeshift classrooms.
Students will also receive pre-packed food served in school canteens and no gatherings are allowed, citing the ministry is putting the safety and health of students as the top priority.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for students will be implemented and as the Form Five and Six students make up the smallest number, they would be the first batch to start school where it is easier to control and monitor while ensuring the appropriate SOPs are being carried out properly without a hitch with the teachers to take up the role as SOP enforcer. Additional details on other groups of students to return to school will be disclosed later.
The ministry is also looking into how to improve education for students both in schools and at home, encouraging home-based learning among students post-MCO.
