By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 14: No schools in Sarawak have been closed due to influenza infections at this time, though the authorities are closely monitoring the situation in educational institutions, and the Dual Language Programme (DLP) Assessment, scheduled for Oct 15 and 16, will proceed as planned.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) report, Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development of Sarawak, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, said that although there has been an increase in influenza cases in schools, the situation remains under control and does not warrant any school closures.
“As of now, no schools have been closed due to the influenza outbreak. However, infections can occur, especially in schools.
“But the situation is still under control and does not require us to close schools—only that monitoring efforts must be intensified to prevent the spread of the disease,” he said after officiating a programme at UNIMAS today.
He added that all schools have been given guidelines by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to manage and control the spread of influenza at the school level.
Meanwhile, on the DLP assessment, Dr Annuar said it is not affected by the influenza situation.
“Each school will conduct the DLP assessment. Only one school will not be participating as it has no Primary Six pupils,” he said.
He explained that the DLP examination is important as it evaluates the progress of the programme’s implementation in Sarawak over the past six years and identifies weaknesses in certain schools and subjects for future improvement.
The examination results are expected to be announced about a month after the test dates and will also be used for the Ujian Akhir Sesi Akademik (UASA) for three subjects.
Additionally, top-performing students have a chance to be admitted to the Yayasan Sarawak International School.
A total of 26,000 pupils from over 1,000 primary schools across Sarawak will be sitting for the DLP examination. — DayakDaily
