MUAR: More students will return to school nationwide by next week under the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

       Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said more than 1.3 million students had returned to school from Monday (Nov 1) for states and territories under Phase Four of the NRP such as the Klang Valley and Melaka.

       “By next week, the number will increase with students in Johor being allowed back in school on Nov 8.

       “Apart from that, students who are sitting for their examinations this year can return to their classrooms as long as their schools have recorded more than 90% vaccination rate,” he added.

       In September, the ministry introduced a rotation system whereby only half the number of students are allowed to attend school for face-to-face learning while the other half continue with home-based teaching and learning (PdPR).

       Radzi was speaking at a press conference on Tuesday (Nov 2) after visiting SK Semasih in Panchor here to check out the school’s preparation to welcome back its students.

       He also reminded schools, in particular teachers, not to take action against students for not wearing full and proper uniform.

       “We still receive complaints from parents that there are teachers who warn their children over not showing up in full uniform.

       “I would like to stress that the ministry has allowed students to wear their own clothes as long as the attire is proper and neat until the end of this year’s school term, which is the middle of December,” he said, adding that schools should make it easier for their students to return.

       The move by the ministry came as many students found their school uniforms and shoes to have become tighter while some parents could not afford to buy new uniforms due to financial constraints during the Covid-19 pandemic.