Sports and Co-curricular Activities restarting in schools wef 1st September 2020

With effect from 1st September 2020, sports and co-curricular activities will be allowed in schools including the PJPK (Pendidikan Jasmani dan Pendidikan Kesihatan) classes. 

This means that students may not need to be confined in classrooms all day long as before and they can also take part in inter-house or club/society matches.

Full SOP on what to do before, during and after such activities can be downloaded from the Ministry's website. The SOP apply to all public primary and secondary schools as well as private schools registered with the Minsitry of Education, Malaysia including SK, SJKC, SJKT, SMK, SMJK, Kolej Vokasional and Kolej Tingkatan Enam etc.

Some of the SOPs and FAQs laid out include social distancing of 1 to 3 metres during stretching and warming up exercises and 3 to 5 metres for more dynamic exercises like sports, marching and dance.  Where social distancing is not possible during the activities, then face masks are required.

What Parents Should Know 

Students are encouraged to use their own sports equipment like badminton racquets or musical instruments. School provided equipment may be shared provided they are cleaned and sanitized before and after use.

Students are required to bring their own food, drinks, towels, clothing and equipment, sharing is not allowed. Shower/changing room/toilet facilities may be used with limits according to capacity. Number of students for each activity may also be limited according to capacity.

Students with low immunity may join provided they have written consent from their parents.

If outside agencies are involved in the activities, they must be agencies approved by the Ministry. Parent's consent is also required. The agencies must follow SOPs including having any outsider's temperature taken and recorded before entering the school premise.

After the activities, teachers, students and trainers are required to wash their hands with soap and water or sanitize their hands and all rooms used to be cleaned and equipment sanitized. Everyone is to leave immediately after the activities.

What Parents Can Do

1. Make sure you provide your child brings their own food, drinks, towels, clothing and equipment (if they have their own) and remind them about the no sharing SOP

2.Make sure you provide your child with hand sanitizers 

3. Make sure you read through and give written consent or otherwise if you are uncomfortable about your child taking part in activities especially those organized by outside agencies. (for example, many activities in SJKCs are conducted by third parties.) Make sure they are approved by the ministry and follow the SOPs.

4. Make sure you arrange for transportation to pick your child up immediately after their activities

What do you think about the restarting of Sports and Co-curricular activities in schools wef 1st September 2020? Yay or Nay?