PETALING JAYA: Covid-19 self-tests for primary school pupils will be conducted at home starting this week.

       Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said 10% of pupils would be selected on a weekly basis to do the tests at home.

       These pupils would be selected randomly.

       "The implementation began in schools on Dec 1, 2021.

       "Following that, the ministry discussed with the Health Ministry on the approach that should be taken for the (further) implementation of this test.

       "The Health Ministry agreed to allow these tests to be conducted at home and schools have been informed of this decision.

       "Self-test kits will be provided by schools and it will kick-off this week," he said in a video posted on his Facebook on Tuesday (Jan 11).

       He added that the ministry would issue a media statement to explain further details.

       He said it was important for parents of selected children to carry out the tests according to the procedures stated in the media statement.

       This was to ensure the school session would be smooth and safe, he added.

       "If it isn’t done according to the procedures, not only the selected pupils will be affected, but their friends and teachers in school as well.

       "Therefore, it is vital that once we begin this new approach of conducting Covid-19 self-tests, parents play an important role to ensure this test is done in an orderly manner and we follow the SOPs set by the Health Ministry.

       "We want to ensure that the schooling session continues to run safely," he said.