KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry (MOE) has granted an exemption for the rental of canteens and other premises or space at schools under its administration for six months from July.

       The ministry said the premises or space included bookshops, cooperatives, launderettes and vending machines whose operations had been affected by the implementation of Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

       An automatic contract extension would also be given to those renting canteens and other premises or space at schools under the ministry for a period of one year upon the expiry of the original contract.

       The MOE has also agreed to extend the contracts of the contractors involved in the supply of the cooked food programme by taking into account the period in which their services have been affected.

       “For building and area cleanliness services, payment to the contractors will be made in full as stated in the contract. As such, the issue of contractors having to cut their employees’ salary should not arise.

       “It is hoped that the initiative can help ease the financial burden of service providers at institutions under the ministry, as well as employees affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” it said in a statement yesterday.

       The education sector will reopen in stages in Phase Three of the NRP, which is expected to be in September. — Bernama