KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry will provide Covid-19 saliva self-test kits to all fully-residential and daily boarding schools nationwide, says Datuk Dr Radzi Mohd Jidin.

       "The government will pay for the saliva test kits for students who will be going to boarding schools and prepare several test kits at normal schools across the country," said the Education Minister.

       "If any student looks unwell, teachers can isolate them and use the test kits," said Radzi, who was delivering his closing speech for his ministry on the motion of thanks to the Royal Address on Wednesday (Sept 22).

       Asked if the initiative would also be implemented in schools in rural areas, Radzi said if it was a fully residential school, they would have to undergo Covid-19 screening, regardless of their location.

       Students at fully-residential schools will have to take tests on the registration day, the sixth day and the 14th day of school.

       "If it is just a daily boarding school, we will do it once during registration. For normal daily schools, we will prepare the test kits at the school just in case we need to test students who are showing Covid-19 symptoms," he said.

       To a question from Charles Santiago (PH-Klang) who asked why some schools in Klang were told to pay RM1,600 for their vaccination programme, Radzi said he had discussed this with the Health Minister.

       "I checked late last night and no payment should have been made. It must be a miscommunication with the school in Klang and I have ordered for it to be discontinued," said Radzi.