KUCHING: Persatuan Anak Istimewa Sarawak (Perais) has urged the government and Ministry of Education (MoE) to consider in postponing the opening of schools in Sarawak until there are zero Covid-19 cases for the safety and health of the children.
Its president Rapelson Richard said children are vulnerable and at greatest risk of contracting the virus, especially those with disabilities (OKU) or health problems.
“Parents have also informed the association that they are concern about the safety and health of their children because the virus is still spreading.
“Prevention is the best solution than cure if Covid-19 spreads again,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (July 14).
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii on Monday (July 13) also called on MoE to give special consideration on postponing the opening of schools here in view of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the city.
He said the recent cases here could be the tell-tale sign of a possible second wave of infection, which is why all necessary precautions need to be done to prevent it from occurring.
The Sarawak government has decided to follow the MoE’s decision to reopen schools in stages starting Wednesday (July 15), which was announced by Education Minister Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jin.
The first phase of school reopening took place on June 24 for students taking public examinations — Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) and equivalent international schools examinations.
While the remaining secondary classes will reopen on Wednesday (July 15), pupils in Year One to Four will return to school on July 22.
