PUTRAJAYA: Schools will reopen with 50% capacity per classroom beginning Oct 3.

       This will involve all schools in states under Phase Three and Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said.

       He said schools in Phase Two will involve Form Six second semester students, special needs students and select exam students. These students do not need to enter on a rotational basis.

       The other students under Phase Two will undergo home-based teaching and learning (PdPR).

       He said schools in states under Phase One will remain closed.

       “Attendance in schools will be capped at 50% of each class' capacity at any given time.

       “Every class will be halved to allow students to return on a weekly rotational basis.

       “So, for example, Group A will attend face-to-face classes in the first week, while Group B will study from home via home-based teaching and learning (PdPR).

       “The following week, these groups will rotate with Group B attending face-to-face classes,” he said during the announcement of the new SOPs on Sunday (Sept 12).

       Certain students, however, will not be rotated, he added.

       These are students in Form Six Semester 2, boarding school students, special needs students, international exam year students, preschool/private kindergarten and schools with low enrolment.

       Here are the salient points -

       > Schools in Phase One states under the National Recovery Plan will not reopen until they move to Phase Two. All learning will be done via PdPR.

       > The reopening of schools in Phase Two will involve Form Six second semester students. The rest will undergo PdPR.

       > The reopening of schools in Phase Three will start with Forms Five and Six, as well as other exam year students in private and national schools. Preschool and private kindergarten pupils will attend too, without rotation.

       > The reopening of schools in Phase Four will start with Form Six semester two students and other exam year students, including those in private schools and those taking international exams, in the first two weeks.

       - Exam year students and Forms Three and Four in full boarding schools will return fully starting Oct 17.

       - Exam year students and Forms Three and Four in national schools, will return on a rotational basis starting Oct 17.

       - Primary pupils will return in stages on rotation every two weeks starting Oct 17.

       - From Oct 31, Forms One and Two will return to schools.

       - Preschool and private kindergarten pupils will attend without rotation.

       - Years Four, Five and Six will continue PdPR.

       - Years One, Two, Three from Oct 17 onwards will attend on a rotational basis.