Rightways: The reopening of schools, childcare centres and institutes of higher learning during MCO 2.0, CMCO, RMCO

YOU HAVE THE QUESTIONS, WE HAVE THE ANSWERS

BELOW are some questions and answers relating to schools and institutions under the Education Ministry as well as the status of public examinations during the movement control order period.

School reopening

Q: Are all students in areas under the movement control order required to return to school when it reopens on Jan 20?

A: Only students sitting for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) and Diploma Vokasional Malaysia (DVM) 2020 and 2021 students, as well as the equivalent international exams, will be allowed to return to school to undergo the Implementation of Teaching and Learning (PdP) via face-to-face.

Non-examination students will undergo Home-based learning (PdPR).

Q: Will students having to undergo public examinations but living outside MCO areas be allowed to return to schools that are under MCO areas or vice-versa?

A: Yes. Special authorisation letters will be issued by the school management to allow students to cross districts or states to attend school.

Q: Are parents/guardians allowed to send their children or children under their care to school?

A: Yes.

Q: Are students in remove class who have appealed to sit for the Bahasa Melayu Literacy Screening (Pengesahan Literasi Bahasa Melayu) allowed to be in school?

A: Yes. Students can attend school to sit for the Bahasa Melayu Literacy Screening on Jan 21,2021. For students unable to attend, they can take the test on Feb 3,2021.

Central Assessment Schedule (Pengurusan Pentaksiran Pusat) and public exams

Q: Will the central assessment schedule and SPM/ SVM/ SKM/ STPM/ STAM/ DVM as well as equivalent international examinations proceed?

A: Yes.

Q: Will the postponed SPM trial 2020 be conducted?

A: Yes. The examination will proceed once school re-opens for face-to-face lessons.

Boarding School Enrolment

Q: When will students sitting for the SPM/ SVM/ SKM/ STPM/ STAM/ DVM exams be allowed to return to boarding schools?

A: Beginning Jan 16.

Q: Are parents/guardians allowed to visit students living in boarding schools that are under the MCO?

A: No.

Q: Will students be allowed to go for outings and overnight events?

A: No.

Teaching and Learning (PdP)

Q: How will PdP be implemented for students aside from those sitting for examination classes?

A: Students must undergo home-based learning (PdPR) based on the suitability and the preparedness of teachers and students. Teachers can refer to the PdPR manual which can be downloaded from the Education Ministry portal www.moe.gov.my

Q: How can Year 1 pupils for the 2021 academic session access the Digital Educational Learning Initiative Malaysia (Delima) platform as part of the PdPR?

A: Pupils can access the Delima portal using their user ID and password given by the school.

Q: How can students access the TV Pendidikan educational programme schedule? A The schedule of TV Pendidikan can be accessed via the Education Ministry’s official portal and social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @KemPendidikan.

Sports and co-curricular activities

Q: Will face-to-face sports and co-curricular activities be allowed?

A: No. However, virtual activities are allowed until the latest announcement from the Education Ministry.

Q: Will sports activities for PdP of the Physical Education subject and Health Education (Pendidikan Jasmani and Pendidikan Kesihatan) outside of the classroom be allowed?

A: No

Management of the textbook loan scheme (SPBT)

Q: Are the Form 5 2020 students required to return their textbooks?

A: Only after they complete their SPM examinations.

Q: Will the Form 5 2020 students be using the same textbooks used by the Form 5 2021 students?

A: No. Students will be provided with the Form 5 Secondary School Standards-based Curriculum (KSSM) textbooks for use in 2021.

Q: When will other students aside from the Form 5 2020 need to return their textbooks and collect their new textbooks?

A: Return and distribution of textbooks will be implemented based on the return schedule in stages set by the school management once school re-opens.

Q: How can students obtain digital textbooks?

A: Students can download digital textbooks from the Delima platforms at moe-dl.edu.my or teachers can help download the digital textbooks, print and distribute them based on the required topics only.

School admission assessment (PKSK)

Q: Will PKSK be implemented during the MCO period?

A: Yes. The new PKSK dates for students entering Form One are Jan 20 to 29. For Form Four students, Feb 15 to 25.

Special authorisation letters will be issued by the Education Ministry to allow candidates to cross states or districts to attend the assessment centres.

Q: What are the necessary steps that need to be taken before a candidate sits for PKSK?

A: All candidates must bring a slip to sit for the PKSK and the special authorisation letter to attend PKSK that can be downloaded below:

i. spskt1.moe.gov.my (Form 1)

ii. spskt4.moe.gov.my (Form 4)

Q: Will candidates with any medical symptoms be allowed to undergo PKSK?

A: No. Parents/ guardians will need to get confirmation from certified medical officers and inform the head of the assessment centre (Ketua Pusat Pentaksiran).

A new date for students to sit for the PKSK will be set later.

Q: Are candidates under quarantine allowed to sit for PKSK?

A: No. Students are only allowed to sit for PKSK after the end of their quarantine period. A new date for the students will be set later.

Q: Are candidates who test positive for Covid-19 and treated in hospital allowed to sit for PKSK?

A: No. However, they will be allowed to do so once they are discharged from the hospital. A new date to sit for the PKSK will be announced later.

Q: Are candidates living in MCO areas allowed to change their PKSK centre?

A: Yes. Candidates need to submit an application to the head of assessment centre (Ketua Pusat Pentaksiran) that they are applying to.

Teachers and non-education services member (anggota perkhidmatan bukan guru)

Q: When are teachers required to be at the station of duty?

A: Teachers are required to be at the station of duty before Jan 20.

Q: Are teachers required to be present at schools placed under the MCO?

A: Teachers’ attendance at schools are required as below:

i. Teachers involved in the SPM/ SVM/ SKM/ STPM/ STAM/ DVM for the year 2020 and 2021 as well as equivalent international exams.

ii. Teachers involved in examination management.

iii. Other teachers that are ordered to be present by the head of departments.

Q: Are teachers living outside of MCO areas allowed to be present at schools that are currently under MCO or vice versa?

A: Yes. Teachers are required to obtain a special authorisation letter from the head of department.

Q: Aside from teachers, who else is allowed to be present at school during the MCO?

A: i. Non-education services members (Anggota Perkhidmatan Bukan Guru) with orders from the head of department.

ii. Essential services workers such as cleaners, security personnel, and canteen staff.

iii. Wardens and boarding school administrators.

Q: Will non-education services members be allowed to work from home?

A: Yes. The head of department can consider the request to work from home made by non-education service members according to their workload and the need to be physically at the office.

Management and operations of private education institutions (IPS)

Q: Are childcare centres allowed to operate face-to-face?

A: Yes. This includes international and expatriate preschool classes.

Q: Are all categories of IPS in MCO areas allowed to have face-to-face learning?

A: No. Only classes with students that are sitting for the SPM/ SVM/ SKM/ STPM/ STAM/ DVM for 2020 and 2021 as well as equivalent international exams will be allowed to operate face-to-face.

Q: Are all IPS categories centres such as tuition/ language centres allowed to operate face-to-face learning?

A: No.

Q: Does an IPS that has been allowed to operate face-to-face learning require a special authorisation letter in order to allow students/ teacher/ staff to be present?

A: Yes.

Management and operations of Pusat Anak Genius Negara (PAGN) and Pusat Genius Kurnia (PGK)

Q: Will PAGN and PGK under the MCO areas remain in operation?

A: Yes. However, this is subject to the quota allowed; priority will be given to parents/ guardians who are both working.

Q: Can parents/ guardians send their children or children under their care for half a day to a PAGN?

A: Yes. However, parents/ guardians must inform the teachers earlier so that activities and routines for children or children under their care can be planned smoothly.

Source: Education Ministry