KUALA LUMPUR: The reopening of schools in stages nationwide, beginning today, aims to create a safe environment capable of restoring students’ morale, says National Union of Teaching Profession of Malaysia (NUTP) secretary-general Wang Heng Suan.

       This, he said, was based on the 120-page document on Guidelines for School Management and Operation 3.0 by the Education Ministry (MOE) which focuses on cleanliness.

       The guideline places emphasis on ventilation in classrooms, on top of the wearing of face masks for all school staff to ensure optimum safety in school.

       “Measures include sanitising surfaces that are often touched, charting out paths for students to move about and allocating break times.

       “Other safety elements that will be carried out are temperature screenings of students, the wearing of face masks and physical distancing,” he told Bernama.

       He said NUTP was confident that the opening of schools in stages by the MOE was a way of identifying situations and controlling the spread of Covid-19.

       Schools will reopen in stages beginning today, especially for students who will sit for examinations.

       It involves specific groups of students in states that are in Phase Two and above of the National Recovery Plan.

       To reduce the risk of Covid-19 infections, schools will implement a weekly student rotation method – with weekly attendance set at 50% capacity of classes

       Wang hopes all school administrators and teachers will follow the guidelines provided to ensure compliance with the standard operating procedure.

       The guidelines provide complete information and measures that need to be taken to ensure the safety of students.

       This, he added, included the setting up of a Covid-19 committee for school administrators at the school level.

       The guidelines also contain information for teachers and school staff who do not wish to receive the vaccine; they will not be allowed to share the same space as those who have completed the vaccination process.

       Thus, only teachers and staff who have been vaccinated would be allowed in school and this would create a safer school environment for the students, he added.

       As of Sept 11, a total of 97.5% of teachers have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, Anggota Kumpulan Pelaksana (97%) and School Liaison Officers (90.6%).

       Meanwhile, National Parents-Teachers Association president Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Ali Hasan said preparations to ensure a clean school environment would make schools safer.

       “Students will be enthusiastic to continue studying,” he added.