KUALA LUMPUR: Rapid Test Kit-Antigen (RTK-Antigen) Covid-19 self-test kits at schools are only for students displaying coronavirus related symptoms.
Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said the self-test kits would not be distributed regularly at daily schools, unlike full boarding schools where screening tests would be conducted three times; on registration day, the sixth and 14th day.
"For daily schools, it (test-kits) will only be used if students are displaying symptoms.
"If the student arrives at school looking well but develops symptoms later in the day, then the school will isolate the student and conduct the test before taking the next action.
"I have discussed with the Health Ministry and we have agreed that if there is a case, the district health office will advise the school on the guidelines they should follow," he told the Dewan Rakyat during the minister's question time today.
Radzi was responding to Jempol Member of Parliament Datuk Salim Sharif's supplementary question on whether Covid-19 self-test kits would be distributed once a week or regularly to students to contain the spread of the virus.
The self-test kit using saliva is easier and safer for students, Radzi said, adding the ministry has set that only saliva test kits are used in schools to detect Covid-19 and contain the spread of the virus.
He said since the Covid-19 self-test kits had to be supplied urgently before schools reopened last Sunday, the ministry had submitted an application to implement the procurement through direct negotiations on Aug 9, involving a total contract value of RM9.72 million.
"In line with the approval from the Finance Ministry, 800,000 units of test kits needed to be distributed immediately to 140 district education offices and state education departments (JPN) nationwide where the supply method is divided into six zones.
"The delivery of self-screening test kits have been completed by all companies to 140 district education offices and JPNs nationwide on Sept 25, the supply of which is for the school re-opening session from October to December this year," he said.