Plan to reopen schools shows Malaysia transitioning to endemic phase, says Radzi

The reopening of schools in stages from Oct 3 according to the phases of states under the National Recovery Plan (NRP) indicates that the country is now transitioning towards an endemic phase, says Education Minister Radzi Jidin.

He said the approach in phases also showed that the country would return to normal.

“In the context of these NRP phases, we are bringing the country back to normal by ensuring that the procedures and rules we have introduced can be complied with, and schools can be reopened safely,” he said at a joint press conference with Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today.

On the meeting with the ministries of defence and health as well as the National Security Council, he said it was to ensure that the planning and implementation of schools reopening could be carried out smoothly and in an orderly manner.

He said the planning was important for all parties to ensure the safety of everyone, particularly students, when schools reopen.

On Sunday, Radzi announced the reopening of schools using a weekly rotation method, with the attendance capacity for students set at 50% to reduce the number in classes and the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

For states under Phase Two of the NRP, only primary schools with special needs pupils at special needs public schools and integrated special education programmes will reopen, while for secondary schools, only Form Six students in their second semester who will be sitting for the STPM examinations at the end of October will return to school.

Asked about action to be taken against teachers who decline to get vaccinated, Radzi said this was still under discussion with the Public Service Department, and would be announced later.

“We see that the number of those who choose not to be vaccinated is around 2,500 people, and we will make sure that they will not be involved in face-to-face teaching, but will be given other tasks, and there will definitely be action taken against them,” he said.