Schools across the country suffered significant disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic which struck in the first quarter of 2020.

The resulting lockdowns forced prolonged school closures,  with Putrajaya delaying the start of the last academic year to March 2022.

The 2023/2024 school year for Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Johor is scheduled to commence on March 19, with the rest of the nation starting the following day.

Pkharuddin said school competitions, celebrations and ceremonies that have no significant impact on student life will be done away with in the upcoming academic year, according to Bernama.

Teacher’s Day celebrations will only be conducted at  school and national level beginning this academic year, he added.

In a circular, Pkharuddin instructed schools to spend the first week of the academic year on activities aimed at motivating students and instilling the values of courtesy and morality among them.

He said school administrators must ensure that the academic sessions are carried out in a happy, friendly and safe environment, in line with the aim of producing students who are both intelligent and well-mannered.

“The first week of school should be used to organise fun-filled programmes that can help students and teachers fully prepare for the mental and socio-emotional aspects of learning before formal education begins,” he said.

This was also to encourage students to stay in school, said Pkharuddin, adding that schools should implement programmes capable of fostering a more harmonious relationship among students, teachers and in their respective local communities.

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