KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry has announced that schools nationwide will be closed until Dec 17, traditionally the last day of the school year.
Senior Education Minister Dr Radzi Jidin said the closures will start on Nov 9 (Monday), and will include vocational colleges registered under the ministry.
"Schools that fall under category B will be closed until Dec 18. This move is to help government efforts to break the Covid-19 chain in the country.
"Throughout the closure, school administrators must ensure that home-based learning is continued.
"Teachers must remain at their teaching stations," he said in a live telecast today.
He added that all students in boarding schools must return to their homes, but will be allowed to remain at their hostels while waiting to be picked up by their parents or guardians.
Radzi said during this period, students still in hostels will be under the care of their wardens, with food and drink being provided by the school.
"The 2021 school term will begin on Jan 20, with primary school students, secondary school students in Form One, Form Four, Form Five and Form Six starting face-to-face learning on that date.
"Students in Forms Two and Three will start home-based learning on Jan 20, and will only return to school physically on March 8."