THE date for the reopening of schools for 398,446 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) candidates is expected to be known tomorrow.

Deputy Education Minister II Muslimin Yahaya said the decision would be made in a meeting between the Education Ministry, the National Security Council (NSC) and the Health Ministry (MoH), which will be chaired by Education Minister Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin, later today.

“I believe it (school reopening date) will be the most important decision to be made together with MoH and NSC this afternoon, and it will probably be announced tomorrow.

“However, the school reopening will only take effect two weeks after the announcement. As long as there is no announcement, no schools will be reopened,” he told a press conference after visiting SM Raja Permaisuri Bainun in Ipoh today.

He said the first phase will see 347,177 SPM candidates, 2,935 SVM, 2,738 STAM and 45,596 STPM return to classes.

“On May 8, we have conducted simulations of school management operations in several schools in Selangor and Putrajaya. The school reopening management guidelines have also been distributed to all state education departments, district education offices, as well as school administrators,” he said.

Asked whether the school reopening would only involve Form Five and Form Six teachers, Muslimin said it would involve all teachers at the schools.

“All teachers will assist in the learning and teaching process because each class will only comprise 16 to 20 students. We need the teachers to help each other and ensure a smooth learning and teaching process,” he said.

On parents’ concern of schools resuming even though the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over, Muslimin said state and district education offices will ensure schools adhere to procedures.

“We an give assurance that only asymptomatic students will be allowed to be in school. If they show symptoms, such as a runny nose and fever, they will be advised to go home or undergo screening at the school’s medical room,” he said, adding that parents were also advised not to send their children to school if they are showing such symptoms. – Bernama, June 9, 2020.