Sarawak schools decision a 'slap' to MOE, says Teo

 

Former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching has called Sarawak's State Disaster Management Committee's (SDMC) decision that schools in Sarawak’s Covid-19 red zones stay closed until March 14 a rejection of the Education Ministry's original decision.

"The decision is a slap to the Education Ministry. Basically, the Sarawak state government is saying ‘I disagree with you',” Teo said in a statement today.

According to the SDMC, the decision was made after discussions with the Sawarak Health Department and the Education Ministry, which had earlier decreed that pre-schools and primary schools will reopen from March 1.

Education Minister Radzi Jidin had announced that Year 1 and 2 students will be back to school on March 1, while those in Year 3 to 6 will be back in school on March 8.

"The MOE should therefore explain to the teachers and parents in the peninsula and Sabah.

"If they think that schools are unsafe to be opened for red zones in Sarawak, why is it safe for us in the other parts of Malaysia?" asked Teo.

She said Sarawak's Covid-19 numbers were similar to and even smaller than that of other states.

On Feb 27, Sarawak recorded 255 new cases, Johor (314), Selangor (862), Perak (305) and Kuala Lumpur (117).

"The total active cases in Sarawak as of yesterday were 2,397, Johor (2,734),  Selangor (3,002), Perak (3,626), and Kuala Lumpur (2,911).

"Sarawak is currently under a conditional movement control order (MCO); however, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang are still under a full MCO.

"Aren’t these factors all indicators that the Covid-19 situation in Selangor, Johor, etc is also very critical?" asked the Kulai MP.

"So, what are the factors being used to decide that schools in Sarawak red zones stay closed until March 14, while the schools in other states red zones can re-open?

"What are the measuring indicators employed to arrive at a scientific and logical conclusion that it is indeed safe to re-open schools?"

Teo said the ministry should convince all Malaysians that its decisions are made professionally and backed by proper analysis and it has given equal considerations to the children in red zones outside Sarawak. - Mkini