KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — The Education Ministry today announced the reopening of public schools to examinations students from June 24.

Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said students taking the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM) and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) as well as their international equivalents can resume classes from that date.

He said the decision was made after advice from the Health Ministry and the National Security Council (NSC).

Radzi reiterated that classes for non-examination students will be announced in due time.

"For now, home learning would continue. Since teachers have returned to schools, the teaching and learning approach can be varied, with access to facilities that are in schools,” he added.

Radzi also announced that outdoor activities in schools such as co-curricular activities requiring face-to-face or body contact and sport activities, are on hold for the time being. This includes school assemblies.

Hostels

The minister said hostels will only accept examination students for now as social distancing is also to be followed in the dormitories.

"In the dormitories, the beds are arranged at a distance of one metre. The number of beds per room depends on the size of the room,” he said.

Meal times in hostels will also be held on a rotation basis, according to the number of students.

"The table setting in the dining hall will take into account social distancing requirements,” he said.

Radzi said that desks for students in classrooms will also be separated from each other by a distance of one metre.

While he said the SOP called for a maximum of 20 students to each class, more could be added if the room was bigger.

Recess

The minister said break time for students will also be on a rotation basis and that social distancing is to be practised in canteens too.

"Students have to line up according to social distance while buying food in the canteen.

"Students will eat their food in their respective classrooms under a teacher’s supervision,” he said, adding that parents are encouraged to pack meals for their children to take to school.

Radzi urged Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) to work together to prepare for schools reopening.

He said the schools must ensure that surfaces that are frequently touched by students must be sanitised regularly.

He also urged students to be mindful of their own hygiene and wash their hands regularly.

Asked about the SOP for school buses, Radzi said the matter is being finalised by the Transport Ministry and will be announced soon.

Radzi said his ministry started the groundwork for the guidelines on how schools in April, adding that it had worked closely with the Health Ministry and the NSC.

Schools have been closed since March, when the movement control order was first imposed in Malaysia.

"The guidelines apply to all government schools, government-aided schools, private schools and other institutions registered with the Education Ministry.

"Schools which are not registered with the Education Ministry are also advised to use the guidelines,” he said.

The Education Ministry had already distributed the guidelines to all schools on June 4.