PUTRAJAYA, April 11 — The Ministry of Education has today declared April 19 a special school holiday, in addition to the mid-term holiday which starts on April 20.
The special announcement was made by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, in anticipation of the possibility that Aidilfitri may fall on April 21.
"There is good news from the Ministry in that we are declaring April 19 as a special school holiday, so there will not be any schooling on that day," she told reporters after witnessing an anti-corruption pledge signing ceremony here.
Fadhlina said the announcement took into account various views, especially teachers, to allow those travelling back to their hometowns to better manage their schedule for the weekend-long celebration.
This year, the Muslim celebration may fall either on April 21 or 22, subject to the observation of the new moon of Syawal that will occur after sunset on April 20.
Last week, religious affairs minister Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the national fatwa council would discuss the determination of the date after the prediction of the International Astronomy Centre based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that Syawal 1, in most countries is on April 21.
In Malaysia, the declaration of the date of Syawal 1, would be made by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal immediately after receiving the report of the moon sighting and consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who represents the Malay Rulers.
Mohd Na’im also asked Muslims to be patient because the determination of the date for Aidilfitri rests with the authority of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal.
Separately, Fadhlina also said results for the Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) would be released on April 18.
Those wishing to check their 2022 results online can visit myresultstam.moe.gov.my from 10am onwards or through SMS.
