KUALA LUMPUR: Only Forms 4 and 6 (Semester 1) students at boarding schools registered with the Education Ministry are allowed to attend classes in person on July 15.
The Education Ministry, in a statement today, said Form 1, Form 2 and Form 3 boarding school students, meanwhile, will be allowed to return to school on Aug 3.
It said priority was given to this group of Forms 4 and 6 students to ensure they have sufficient time to prepare for the public examinations scheduled to be held next year.
"Forms 1 to 3 students will continue to have classes via home-based learning until they are allowed into schools on Aug 3.
"The ministry is always working to ensure all students are able to return to the traditional classroom for face-to-face learning.
"However, several improvements had to be made to the guidelines for boarding schools based on discussions with the Health Ministry," the statement read.
These improvements, it said, have been included as additions to the School Reopening Management Guidelines and have been approved at the ministers special meeting on the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) No. 60, 2020 on July 9.
This updated ruling applies to boarding schools (SBP), national religious secondary schools (SMKA), government-assisted religious schools (SABK), Malaysian sports schools (SSM), state sports schools (SSN) and Malaysian art schools (SSeM).
The ministry further said it was aware of parents concern if their children would be allowed home for Hari Raya Aidiladha.
"With the improvements to the existing standard operating procedures, the ministry has no objection to allowing students to return home to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha with their family.
"The Education Ministry always takes into consideration the views and recommendations of the Health Ministry in ensuring that all boarding school children can continue learning in a safe environment."
The ministry called on parents, teachers and students to cooperate with the ministry to ensure the smooth reopening of schools, especially boarding schools.