SCHOOLS reopen their doors today for pre-schoolers, year one and two pupils after their closure because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For pupils without uniforms yet, the Education Ministry has allowed them to wear everyday clothes for school and the waiver expires on March 26 (when the first term holiday begins).

The reopening of the face-to-face school session, after it was closed nationwide from November 9 last year, also sees pupils and teachers adapting to the new norms and compliance with the standard operating procedure (SOP).

The ministry has distributed the school reopening management guidelines and models for pupil control at school gates nationwide.

The guidelines encompass various aspects, from pupils entering the school gate, while at school, as well as when returning home.

Apart from primary schools, vocational colleges are open today.

As for year three to six pupils, they will start attending school on March 8, while secondary schools will commence sessions on April 4 (in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) and on April 5 for the other states.

International schools and private educational institutions will reopen on March 8.

However, the face-to-face school session has been postponed to March 14 for schools in Kuching, involving the Samarahan, Julau, Meradong, Sibu, Kapit, Bintulu, Subis and Miri districts, due to the current Covid-19 situation in the affected areas.

Although some states are under enforcement of the movement-control order (MCO), the reopening of the schools is seen as necessary to balance the need for access to education in a safe environment so as to ensure pupils do not fall behind further. – Bernama, March 1, 2021.