NUTP secretary-general Harry Tan said teachers had continued lessons virtually throughout the movement control order (MCO) period. Also, he said students would be too bored should the schooling session be extended.

“The year-end is also the flood season and the situation is not suitable for the schooling session, aside from the fact that some schools will be used as relief centres for flood victims.

“Teachers have also made prior plans to go on vacation or return to their hometowns, including teachers serving in Sabah, Sarawak and the interiors,” he said in a statement today.

He urged Education Minister Radzi Jidin to consider the union’s appeal and to cancel the amendment made to the 2020 academic calendar.

The education ministry yesterday announced an amendment to the academic calendar, with the second mid-term holidays and year-end holidays, in particular, significantly reduced.

Schools in Group A (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) will have 14 days off instead of 42 at the year-end. Schools in Group B (Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and the Federal Territories) will have 13 days off instead of 41.

Former education minister Maszlee Malik had asked why the education ministry failed to consult teachers and associations before making this decision, adding that he had received numerous complaints from teachers on the amendments.

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