TUARAN: The state Education Department has advised all schools in Sabah to stick to conducting one learning session and not use the rotation model if classroom space is sufficient.
Its director Dr Mistrine Radin said the rotation model is only used for schools that do not have enough space to place students despite conducting two learning sessions.
"If a classroom space can accommodate all students after adhering to the one-meter distancing rule, schools must change its system to the one session operation model.
"The schools must also determine the appropriate form of rotation based on the number or needs of students. So, they do not have to take turns to undergo learning sessions," she told reporters after making her rounds at the Sekolah Menengah Advent Tamparuli private school here, to observe standard operation procedures (SOP).
Today, the learning process for 1,294 schools in Sabah resumed except for Sekolah Kebangsaan Daingin in the Papar district. The primary school was affected by floods recently and would only be opened tomorrow.
"The opening of schools involved 368,875 students comprising pre-schoolers, Primary 5, Primary 6, Special Integration Education Programme students or transition (remove) classes, and Form 1 to Form 6.
"With this, the learning process is resumed for primary schools, special primary schools, private primary schools, secondary schools, special secondary schools and private secondary schools," said Mistrine.
During her school visit, she observed smooth learning process for private students at SMAT with some students sent to school by parents while others, staying nearby, walked.
SPM candidate Angel Badai, 17, who was sent to school by her father, said her family was concerned about letting her return to school due to the uncertainty amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
"However, after my father observed the school's SOPs for a few days, he was confident and supported my decision to go to school.
"The school environment is still the same, except for the new normal practice of checking body temperature and social distancing that we must follow," she said.
