PUTRAJAYA: All State Religious Councils have been advised to cancel the Kafa Al-Quran and Fardu Ain Assessment Test, in accordance with the Ministry of Education (MOE) decision to cancel the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) this year.
Education Minister Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said his ministry had discussed with all State Religious Councils on cancelling the examination, taking into account the safety of the children.
“We have discussed the matter with the State Religious Councils and it was emphasised that the states should all make the same move.
“What’s important is the safety of the children, they are still young and they still have a long way off, (schooling years),” he told a press conference yesterday.
Mohd Radzi said the total number of UPSR students this year is over 450,000 which is considered to be high and who are at high risk of contracting the Covid-19 virus.
Following this, Mohd Radzi said he would meet Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri and put forward the suggestion so as to be in line with MOE’s decision.
Commenting on pre-school classes under MOE’s purview, he said the classes would also be suspended to guarantee the children’s safety.
“Our focus is on pupils who can be easily managed by teachers. The main challenge concerning kindergartens is social distancing.
“When schools reopen after the MCO, the Form Five and Form Six students will be the first to attend classes,” he said. – Bernama
