217 schools in Sarawak, Kedah ordered to close

A TOTAL of 217 schools in Sarawak and Kedah have been ordered to close temporarily to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Education Minister Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said yesterday.

Two hundred and thirteen schools were closed in Sarawak, comprising 87 in Kuching, 99 in Padawan and 27 in Samarahan. He said classes for preschool, Form Five and Form Six will remain open in all three districts.

“The decision to close the schools was made on July 29, after the Sarawak government reimposed travel restrictions within divisions in the state,” he said in response to a question by Teo Nie Ching (PH–Kulai).

“Schools that were suppose to open on Monday will now open on Aug 17.”

Mohd Radzi said that in Kedah, three schools in Kubang Pasu and one in Padang Terap were ordered to close from Sunday to Aug 29.

In response to a question from Dr Kelvin Yii Wuen (PH–Bandar Kuching), he said the decision to temporarily close schools was taken on a case-by-case basis, depending on risk factors.

He added that it did not matter if the schools were located in a Covid-19 red zone or not, as they could be ordered to close to prevent the spread of the virus.

Teo had also asked if the ministry would provide free reusable face masks to students, especially those in the B40 category.

Mohd Radzi said the government had yet to decide whether to make it mandatory for students to wear face masks in schools, adding that the ministry was discussing the matter with several parties.

“Under the guidelines to reopen schools, the wearing of face masks is encouraged but it is not mandatory,” he said.