ALL schools in Selangor have been ordered to close from tomorrow, according to a circular issued by the state education department. 

State director Izmi Ismail said in the circular sighted by The Malaysian Insight that schools in the state are to remain shut until the end of the Hari Raya break. 

In light of the fact there will only be two days of face-to-face learning left before the Hari Raya break, the ministry has decided to close all schools in the state.

“Schools must ensure that home-based teaching and learning is conducted during the closure.” 

The directive comes as the movement-control order will be enforced in six districts in the state from tomorrow to contain the spread of Covid-19.

“The Education Ministry has taken note of the decision made by the Selangor Special Committee for Security in its meeting on May 5, where it has recommended that schools be closed from May 6 to 12.”

“The committee has recommended the move to reduce movement within the community as Covid-19 cases are on the rise in Selangor,” Izmi said in the circular to district education officers. 

He said the return of boarding school students to their hometown for the Hari Raya holiday, will be based on the schedule released by their respective schools.

Schools were also told to stick to their schedules, and to not confuse parents and students.

He also told the officers to ensure that teachers are prepared to conduct home-based teaching and learning during the closure. 

“On that note, all district education officers will have to ensure that schools adhere to the instruction,” he said. 

The circular was also copied to the Selangor menteri besar and the director-general of the ministyr, among others.

Education Minister Radzi Jidin said on April 26 that classes will be held online for two weeks after the Hari Raya holidays.

Schools will close from May 16 to 27 for group A schools (in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) and May 17 to 28 for group B schools (in Perlis, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya). 

Radzi said the decision was made to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infections after the school holidays, scheduled from May 7 to 15 for group A schools and May 8 to 16 for group B schools. 

He said after the online learning period, students will continue their term holidays from May 28 to June 12 for group A schools and May 29 to June 13 for group B schools. – May 5, 2021.