Several schools in Johor face week-long closure

A number of schools in Johor have been ordered to close for one week while preventative measures are carried out under Act 342.

According to a post by Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir (above), this includes Sekolah Kebangsaan Larkin 1 and Kolej Vokasional Tanjung Puteri in the state’s capital.

“This is what is felt by parents asking for confirmation about some schools in Johor Bahru that have been ordered to shut for a week.

“There are primary schools affected by this, there are secondary schools,” said Akmal on Facebook last night (Jan 23).

He added that it was hard to get clarification on the matter as the state’s Health and Environment Committee was no longer functional due to Johor's dissolved state assembly.

The closure is effective under Section 18 (1)(f) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

Malaysiakini spoke to Farid, a concerned father whose children study in Kolej Vokasional Tanjung Puteri.

With both Farid and his wife being working parents, they fear that the school closures will negatively impact the quality of their children's education.

“Actually, it’s difficult because I’m working. When I’m at work, my children are having online classes on their own at home.

“Even if we were to monitor them… My children in secondary school are OK because they are staying in the school's hostel.

“My child - who is in primary school - is currently at home so we find it difficult to monitor (them). Are they really in the middle of their online classes?

“Their handphone is with them so they could switch to (social media platforms like) Instagram - that’s the issue,” said the 44-year-old.

He added that with the upcoming Johor state polls, he fears that schools would have to face another closure during the elections - which could clash with the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations in March.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Johor Education Department regarding the school closures.

The State Education Department is expected to release a statement responding to the matter later today. - Mkini