Policy reversed, students told to stay put

CORONAVIRUS | All students, both local and foreign, have been instructed not to travel during the movement control order period.

This is based on instructions from the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) and the Education Ministry (MOE) in their respective FAQs released by the National Security Council.

According to the MOHE, all students of higher learning institutions have to remain in their hostels, rented homes or dwellings even if they have purchased travel tickets.

"Students are NOT ALLOWED to return to their home towns, villages or countries during the movement control order period," said the MOHE.

This covers public and private university students, polytechnic colleges and community colleges.

These students must inform their institutions who will be responsible for basic needs, safety and welfare.

As for the MOE, it said hostels for matriculation colleges and teacher training colleges will continue to function while all other facilities have to close.

"Matriculation and teacher training college students who are still in the hostels must remain there.

"Their welfare will be managed by campus officials and wardens," said the MOE.

At this point in time, it is uncertain if hostels for boarding schools are still required to house students during the order period.

Yesterday afternoon, some public universities ordered students to vacate their hostels, causing many to head to major bus stations hoping to catch a ride home since they have no place to stay.

What followed was a series of conflicting instructions on whether or not they were allowed to travel yesterday.

Experts had pointed out that these students could potentially spread the deadly Covid-19 virus and defeat the purpose of the order by the government which came into force today.

Meanwhile, the MOHE said all universities are allowed to conduct lessons online on condition that all students have access to the lessons.

The MOHE said exams for polytechnic and community colleges have been deferred. - Mkini