KUALA LUMPUR: Primary schools in states placed under the Movement Control Order (MCO) will conduct virtual learning and teaching (PdPR) whereas states under the Conditional MCO (CMCO) and Recovery MCO (RMCO) will see pupils returning to physical classrooms.
Announcing this today, Senior Education Minister Dr Radzi Jidin said the same applies to Form One and Form Four students.
Radzi said while classes will resume on Jan 20, it would largely depend on which movement order category the schools fall under.
"Both primary and secondary students who are not facing any major examinations will have online classes. However, Form Two and Form Three students who live in RMCO and CMCO areas will begin face-to-face classes on March 8.
"Students who will be sitting for major exams in the 2020 and 2021 session, namely Form Five and Form Six students, will be allowed to attend physical classes in states under MCO, CMCO and RMCO," he said at a press conference today.
The major examinations are the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM); Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM); Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM); Diploma Vokasional Malaysia (DVM) and other international level exams certified by the Education Ministry.
Radzi said if the MCO ends as scheduled, schools can resume face-to-face classes the following week on March 8.
All matriculation college students in MCO, CMCO and RMCO areas will attend hybrid classes. Second semester vocational colleges students in CMCO and RMCO areas can attend physical classes while those in MCO states will have to continue with virtual learning.
"Those in semester four in vocational colleges will be attending physical classes at colleges under MCO, RMCO and CMCO areas," he said.
On Teacher Training Institutes (IPG), Radzi said online learning will continue in MCO areas while physical classses will resume in RMCO and CMCO areas.
Radzi added that international and private schools are allowed to hold physical classes for students facing major examinations in all MCO, CMCO and RMCO areas.
"Those who are not facing major exams in MCO areas will attend virtual classes while those in CMCO and RMCO areas are allowed to attend physical classes.
"Private kindergartens, however, will be allowed to hold physical classes in MCO, CMCO and RMCO areas," he said.
Radzi said the decision was made during the Special National Security Council Meeting upon advice from the Health Ministry.