STUDENTS at public universities (UA) and private higher learning institutes (IPTS) must remain on campus during the restricted movement order (RMO) period.

“All students, including international, must stay at their college hostels and rented or private accommodation even if they have bought tickets to return home,” the Higher Education Ministry said this evening.

“The students are not allowed to go back to their respective homes or countries during the RMO period and must report to the UA and IPTS managements.”

The UA and IPTS will be responsible for the student’s basic needs, security and welfare during this time, it said.

The FAQ said UA and IPTS will maintain essential services such as water, energy, telecommunications, postal, transport, broadcasting, financial, healthcare, pharmaceutical, security, cleaning and food.

“The canteens will keep their operations open for food delivery or takeaway.”

The same guidelines apply to polytechnics and community colleges.

This is the third time the Perikatan Nasional government has changed its policy on college and university students.

Yesterday, the National Security Council said in its FAQ that all UA students must leave their campuses. But following a mad rush for the train and bus stations, PN revised the guideline to say that students had the choice of leaving or staying on campus.

Umno’s Dr Noraini Ahmad in the higher education minister.

Meanwhile, registered online universities and private colleges will be allowed to continue teaching through the internet on the condition that all its students have access to the lectures and the lecturers are ready.

“The public universities and private colleges that do not provide full e-learning facilities are not allowed to conduct classes using the internet in case some students have no access,” said the ministry.

Polytechnics and community colleges students who are undergoing industrial training or work-based learning will cease their training during the RMO period of March 18-31.

There suspended industrial training need not be replaced after the RMO period.

An exception is made for students undergoing training in the essential services, it said.

Meanwhile, the 2019 final examinations for polytechnics have been rescheduled from April 6-23 to April 13-May 3.

For community colleges, the 2019 final examinations will be be rescheduled from March 23-April 11 to April 6-17.

The FAQ said the polytechnics or community colleges are not to be used as quarantine facilities. – March 18, 2020.