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Schools in JB, Samarahan ordered to close amid Covid-19 surge

Schools in JB, Samarahan ordered to close amid Covid-19 surge
Schools in JB, Samarahan ordered to close amid Covid-19 surge

COVID-19 | The Education Ministry (MOE) has ordered schools in Johor Bahru to close in light of the rising number of Covid-19 cases there.

The order takes effect from Nov 1 until Nov 14 following the district’s classification as a Covid-19 red zone since yesterday.

“This involves 376 educational institutions in Johor Bharu. The figure includes primary and secondary schools under the MOE, teacher education institutions, and private schools registered with the MOE,” the ministry said in a statement today.

As with previous school closures, the MOE said parents and guardians have the option of bringing their children home from schools that have boarding facilities.

Of students who opt to remain in their hostels or are waiting for their parents and guardians to fetch them, they are to remain in there for the entire duration of the closure under the hostel warden’s care.

Teaching and learning will continue from home. A full list of affected schools and manuals for teaching and learning from home is available from the MOE’s website.

Students who need to sit for scheduled international examinations would have to obtain letters from their respective schools to be allowed to do so.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee has ordered three schools in the Samarahan district to close, following school closures in the neighbouring Kuching district that has been declared a red zone.

The affected schools are SMK Wira Penrissen, SMK Sg Tapang, and SK Wira Jaya.

In a separate announcement today, the MOE also said it is postponing Special School Entrance Assessments (PKSK) for Form 4 students.

The assessments were scheduled to begin on Nov 2, but will now be held on a date that will be announced later in light of the Covid-19 situation.