ALL primary school pupils and students from Form 1 to 5 will undertake home-based learning according to the suitability of teachers and students from January 20, said the Education Ministry.

It said the face-to-face school sessions, commencing January 20, for the whole country would only involve students sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM), and Malaysian Vocational Diploma (DVM) as well as equivalent international examinations last year.

The decision follows discussions with the Health Ministry and the National Security Council, as well as in reference to the recent Covid-19 case trend, the Education Ministry said in a statement today.

Schools that are not registered with the ministry, including those under state governments, are recommended to follow these regulations as well.

As some students have already started checking into hostels from today, the ministry has made several rulings, including allowing students who have registered for full-time boarding schools in Form 4 and 5 to remain in the hostels and follow their lessons online or return home and follow the learning approach.

“Parents or guardians are allowed to take their children or foster children home at any convenient time in accordance with the set guidelines,” it said.

Form 5 and 6 students will need to follow the physical classes in school until the completion of their examinations.

For normal boarding schools, the ministry said Forms 1, 4 and 5 students could stay in their hostels and follow the online classes at their schools or go home and follow the home-based approach.

“For students in boarding schools, food and drinks will be provided by the school,” he said.

The ministry said for operational purposes, all teachers must return to their respective work stations before January 20.

Teachers involved in the national examination classes last year need to be present in schools to start physical classes.

Meanwhile, other teachers will implement the home-based learning and their presence in schools will be based on the requirements set by the heads of department.

The ministry said matriculation college students would need to remain at their respective colleges to continue to follow hybrid learning.

Meanwhile, the ministry said all students of the Teachers’ Training Institute, who are at the hostels, should remain on their campuses.

“Students who have not yet registered at the hostel can choose to stay at the hostels or in their respective homes.

“Classes for all institute students will be carried out online from tomorrow. Details on their practical and internships will be informed later,” it said.

All private kindergartens registered with the ministry can continue to have physical classes, it added. – Bernama, January 16, 2021.