KUCHING: The wearing of face masks will be compulsory for students of Anglican mission schools in Sarawak.
President of the Anglican mission Schools Right Reverend Datuk Danald Jute said a guideline on the wearing of masks had been set for all its mission schools, especially in the affected districts of Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Padawan, Bintulu and Miri, after consultations with medical specialists and the Anglican Mission Education Committee.
“The recent statement by the Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that the wearing of face masks was not compulsory in schools is sending a wrong message, especially when the number of Covid-19 cases are on the increase in Sarawak.
“As the president of all our mission schools, our priority is to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff and students,” he said in a statement today.
Danald explained that the guideline was formulated for the schools with the sole purpose of enhancing and strengthening the current government standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“The wearing of face masks will be compulsory for all secondary school and upper primary school students (Primary 3 to Primary 6),” he said.
Danald said younger students (Primary 1 and Primary 2) must wear masks while indoors, especially in the classrooms. They might be allowed some breaks without masks.
“Being in the vulnerable group, children with respiratory issues or other medical problems will need more protection.
“However, understandably, they may have difficulties keeping a mask on. Therefore, extra care, understanding and appropriate arrangement must be accorded to them,” he said.
Danald added that social distancing in the schools must also be observed at all times.
Currently, there are 50 Anglican mission schools in Sarawak — five are secondary schools while the rest are primary schools.
Last Friday, Ismail Sabri said the wearing of face masks is not compulsory for students in schools.
He said schools are only required to provide face masks if there were students or staff who showed symptoms during the schooling sessions.
