Teo asks why schools in Sarawak remain closed while those in other states open today

KUCHING: Former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching has asked the Ministry of Education (MoE) to explain why it is safe for schools in Covid-19 red zones in other parts of Malaysia to reopen from today (March 1) while schools in Sarawak remain closed until March 14.

The Kulai MP noted that the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) made the decision that schools in Covid-19 red zones in Sarawak would reopen only March 15 following discussions with the state Health Department and MoE.

“MoE should therefore explain to the teachers and parents in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. If MoE thinks that schools are unsafe to open for red zones in Sarawak, why is it safe for us in the other parts of Malaysia?” asked the Democratic Action Party (DAP) lawmaker in a statement yesterday.

Teo, who is national DAP international secretary, noted that Sarawak on Feb 27 recorded 255 new cases while Johor recorded 314 cases, Selangor reported 862 cases, Perak had 305 cases and Kuala Lumpur 117 cases on the same day.

“The total number of active cases in Sarawak as at Saturday was 2,397 cases while Johor’s stood at 2,734 cases, Selangor (3,002 cases), Perak (3,626 cases) and Kuala

Lumpur (2,911 cases).”

She further pointed out that Sarawak is presently under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) while Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang are still under Movement Control Order (MCO).

She said these statistics indicated that the Covid19 situations in states such as Selangor and Johor are critical.

“So what are the factors being used to decide that schools in Sarawak red zones stay closed until March 14 while the schools in other states red zones can reopen?

“What are the measuring indicators employed to arrive at a scientific and logical conclusion that it is indeed safe to reopen schools?” she asked

She said MoE should prove that its decisions were made professionally, backed by proof and proper analysis.

“And they have given equal considerations for the kids in red zones outside Sarawak,” she added.

SDMC in a statement on Feb 26 announced that schools in Covid-19 red zones in Sarawak would remain closed until March 14.

Nine districts in the state were classified as Covid-19 red zones at the time the statement was issued.