Schools to come under MCO need clear guidelines, govt told

PETALING JAYA: The education ministry has been urged to provide clarity over the status of schools in six districts in Selangor that will come under a movement control order (MCO) from tomorrow.

Pakatan Harapan’s education committee said an urgent announcement on the status of the schools was needed as some of them were holding midterm exams.

“Will schools in MCO areas be closed immediately or will they be opened until the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays begin?” the committee asked in a statement.

Should the schools be closed, it said, it would raise questions on how parents with children in boarding schools could go about bringing them home.

“Will parents who need to fetch their children from boarding schools be given permission to cross district and state borders during the MCO as it coincides with the festivities?” the committee asked.

It said an announcement was needed to help schools and parents make the necessary preparations, including rescheduling exams and seeking the aid of childminders.

Should parents be allowed to fetch their children from boarding schools, it asked whether a letter from the school should suffice as evidence to cross district or state borders.

“This way they do not need to go to police stations to seek permission to cross district and state borders as this will take a long time,” it said.

“The education ministry should be more proactive in notifying (stakeholders) on the issues which arise.”

Yesterday, the government announced that six Selangor districts – Hulu Langat, Petaling, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang – will come under an MCO from until May 17. — Free Malaysia Today