Education Dept urged to close schools in Miri
The Miri Division Disaster Management Committee (MDDMC) has requested Sarawak Education Department to order for schools in Miri District to be closed for 14 days, and for the teachers and school-children to revert to the Teaching and Learning at Home (PdPR) system.
Minister of Transport Sarawak Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is also the minister in-charge for MDDMC, said the temporary closure would help curb the spread of Covid-19 in schools.
He said the matter was highlighted during the MDDMC virtual meeting, conducted via Zoom last Saturday, which also involved acting Miri Resident Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf – also the MDDMC’s chairman.
Lee said also during the meeting, they were briefed by officials from Miri Health Office, Miri Hospital and Miri Education Office on the latest Covid-19 situation in this division.
“Thirteen per cent of the total 3,253 cumulative positive Covid19 cases are those of school-going age,” said the minister, adding that the meeting also mentioned one secondary school principal in Miri was issued with a compound over the breach of standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the authorities.
The MDDMC was also informed about Miri Hospital and the Covid19 Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC) here having almost reaching their full capacities.
In view of this, the committee believed that the face-toface session in schools across Miri District should be put on hold for 14 days, with the teachers and students reverting to PdPR system for their lessons.
“MDDMC could then review the situation after 14 days.”
Lee said for Subis and Beluru districts – both under Red Zone status – the MDDMC also requested for 14-day closure of schools there.
He added that apart from Education Department Sarawak, the appeal was also forwarded to
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman.
Lee said he had personally spoken to Uggah, who was supportive of the recommendation.
“We hope that the director of Education Department Sarawak would give due consideration to our appeal and grant the request,” said Lee.