KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 1 — After almost two months of school closures due to spikes in Covid-19 cases, today, preschoolers, Year One and Year Two pupils in primary schools nationwide began their face-to-face school session.

As the country is still battling the Covid-19 pandemic, these young pupils embark on first day at school by adapating to the new norms and compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set.

Bernama checks at schools across the country found that as early as 7am, students, accompanied by their parents began arriving at the school compound by undergoing body temperature checks and the use of hand sanitiser as well as wearing face masks of various colours and patterns while queuing before entering class.

Parents met expressed hope that the reopening of the school session this time would go smoothly without any delay as well as with the implementation of strict SOPs the students would be protected from any infection.

Sekolah Kebangsaan Seksyen 16 students return to school in Shah Alam March 1, 2021. — Picture by Miera Zulyana

In the capital, Sentul district police chief ACP Beh Eng Lai said the police were mobilising several teams of mobile patrol vehicle (MPV) and motorcycle patrol units to ensure that all schools in the district comply with the SOPs set.

Beh, when met after his visit to SJKC Khai Chee here, said there are 24 secondary and 50 primary schools that will be monitored throughout the schooling session.

In Putrajaya, Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin reminded parents and the schools to comply with the SOPs set in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

A Bernama check at Sekolah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 8 (1) found that the school compound was busy as early as 7 am and a group of students dressed as firefighters, pilots, doctors and police were seen standing in front of the gate, holding placards bearing messages such ‘Welcome back to school’, ‘Maintain one metre physical distancing’ and ‘Follow the SOPs’, to welcome students.

In Selangor a total of 208,979 preschoolers, Year One and Two pupils began their first day of face-to-face school session today.

Selangor Education Department said of the total number of students, 25,095 were preschoolers,  93,907 Year One pupils and 89,977 Year are from Year Two. — Bernama