KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry (MoE) has confirmed that all 384 schools located in Red Zones in four districts in Selangor and Sabah will be closed.
"The MoE is aware that parents and teaching staff are anxious following the rise in Covid-19 cases in the areas.
"Subsequently, all schools in the districts of Klang in Selangor and Sandakan, Papar and Tuaran in Sabah will be closed from Oct 8 until Oct 23, 2020," it said in a statement, adding this was in line with the announcement made by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Oct 6.
The statement said the move would involve 142 schools in Klang district and 242 schools in all three districts in Sabah.
"The number includes primary and secondary schools under the ministry, as well as private schools which are registered under the ministry.
"Schools with hostel facilities including vocational colleges will also be closed," it said, adding parents had been requested to pick up their children from school hostels to be brought home.
"However, students who are waiting for their parents to pick up (during the period) or prefer to remain in the hostels and vocational colleges, will be placed under the care of hostel wardens.
Food and drinks for the students during the period will be provided by the schools, it said.
During this period, headmasters and school principals would ensure that teachers and students would be able to resume their education according to their needs, it said.
"Teaching and home learning manuals can be downloaded from the inistry's official website (www.moe.gov.my).
Meanwhile, it said affected schools which are currently preparing for SPM trial exams can reschedule the exam to a different date.
The ministry, it added, will continue to monitor the situation with co-operation with the National Security Council and the Health Ministry.
"Further announcements on closing of schools in other districts will be made from time to time".