Schools to close until next year

The government today announced that schools across the country will be closed until next year, including those in states not under conditional movement control order (CMCO).

Education Minister Radzi Jidin said the decision would take effect tomorrow, with schools reopening only on Jan 20, 2021.

Vocational colleges in CMCO states under the purview of the education ministry will also close from tomorrow until Dec 17 for states in Group A and Dec 18 for those in Group B.

“These closures will affect 74% of schools under the education ministry,” Radzi said in a press conference today, adding that the decision was made to help the government in its efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.

During this time, lessons are to continue through home-based learning, while teachers must remain at their respective stations, he added.

Primary school students, students in Form One, Four, Five, and Six, and those at vocational colleges will resume school sessions on Jan 20.

Students in Form Two and Three will resume lessons as well but through home-based learning. They will only return to school for face-to-face classes on March 8.

Examination dates for SPM, STPM, Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM) and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) meanwhile have been postponed to next year.

SPM, SVM and STAM exams will begin on Feb 22 while STPM will begin on March 8.

Radzi said further details will be announced soon.