THE Education Ministry’s policy of closing schools with Covid-19 cases for two days should be announced properly to principals and headmasters, former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching said.

She questioned the absence of any official letter from the Education Ministry on the statement made by deputy education minister Dr Mah Hang Soon yesterday to a Chinese language newspaper.

“Although the decision took effect yesterday… so far we have not seen any media statement from (the ministry) or any official instruction for the state education department or to the principals and headmasters to close schools.”

“I have received at least five complaints where schools have confirmed cases but no instruction to close school.”

“When asked why the headmaster or the principal did not issue a notice to close the school, they said they have yet to receive any official letter authorising them to close the school,” said Teo in a statement.

Mah told Sin Chew Daily yesterday that any school with confirmed Covid-19 infections, even if only a single case, will now have to close for at least two days.

He added that students would have to take online lessons for the two days, during which time health officials will inspect the school and conduct risk assessments before deciding whether to allow the students back or to extend the school closure beyond the two days.

However, there has been no official letter or public statement from the ministry.

Teo, who is Kulai MP, said teachers and parents, as well as students, are confused following the ministry’s failure to make a proper announcement.

“Failing to make the announcement has left a big impact on 500,000 teachers and 4.7 million students and their parents.”

“Why did the deputy minister make the announcement only to a newspaper and not issue a press release?

“The ministry fails to communicate and, because of this, it has created uneasiness and worry amongst parents. The ministry needs clear standard operating procedure to avoid future misunderstanding.” – April 22, 2021.