TASEK GELUGOR: The Education Ministry (MoE) will only close schools following advise from the district health office (PKD) after conducting a risk assessment.
Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Md Jidin said subsequently, schools with Covid-19 cases would be closed only when the infections force a large number of teachers to be quarantined and affect the efficiency of school operations.
"The district health office is the expert in making the assessment. They will assess thoroughly and if they feel there is a need to shut certain floors or certain buildings, then they will be shut. Or if there is a need to close the whole school, then it will be closed.
"On MoE's part, we will look at the operations side. If a majority of the teaching staff are under quarantine, which can affect the efficiency of the schools' operations, then we will see whether the schools' operations can proceed or should be postponed," he said.
He was met at the handing over of the keys for Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tasek Gelugor and handing over of maintenance funds for schools in the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary constituency here today.
The Penang government had recently urged for drastic action to be taken, including immediate closure of schools with Covid-19 cases.
According to Radzi, the ministry will follow and accept the advice from the district health office since they are the experts in handling the issue.
Meanwhile, Radzi urged teachers in schools nationwide to register for the Covid-19 vaccine using the MySejahtera application since they are among the important groups to be vaccinated.
"The vaccination for teachers is being carried out and we urge them to register immediately."
Earlier in his speech, Radzi said the MoE would review the list of schools which are eligible for maintenance funds and repairs to ensure priority given to those really in need.
"We have about 10,000 schools nationwide and we need to prioritise schools really in need," he added.
At today's event, some 31 schools received between RM20,000 and RM200,000 allocations for maintenance and repair works.
Present were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Shabudin Yahaya and Education director-general Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim.