Schools, not teachers, should provide face masks to students, says minister

Reports said teachers were forced to use their own funds to prepare face masks and hand sanitisers for students.

PUTRAJAYA: Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today school administrators must provide face masks and hand sanitisers to students.

He said the education ministry had allocated funds to schools for this purpose.

“When we say schools must prepare face masks, hand sanitisers and thermometers, these must be provided by the school administrators. The teachers should not need to provide them on their own,” he said.

Ismail was asked to comment on a report saying teachers were forced to use their own funds to prepare face masks and hand sanitisers for students.

Schools across the country reopened yesterday after more than four months’ break due to the movement control order (MCO) enforced to curb the spread of Covid-19. They have to follow the SOPs set strictly.

Students from Form One to Four, Year Five and Six, together with those in remove classes, must wear face masks when attending school.

They must also sanitise their hands and have their temperatures checked before entering their classrooms.

Parents are only allowed to accompany students until the main entrance. - FMT