Education minister Radzi Jidin said the waiver was also being extended to rented premises, book shops, cooperatives, laundry shops and vending machines operating in schools under the ministry.

“We have received many applications from canteen operators for rent exemption.

“Therefore, we have made the decision to give exemption on canteen rent for six months from January to June,” he told reporters after visiting SMK Sultan Ismail here today.

Earlier, Radzi visited SK Zainab 1 and SK Zainab 2 in conjunction with the reopening of schools in Kelantan for the 2021/2022 third term.

When asked whether the rotation attendance system for students in schools would continue to reduce overcrowding, Radzi said the ministry actually did not want this system.

“But considering the spread of Covid-19, including the Omicron variant, we feel this method should be considered from time to time,” he said.

Radzi also advised parents who did not want to send their children to school for fear of Covid-19 to inform the school authorities.

“The ministry understands that some parents may not want their children to be present in school, but they need to provide valid reasons.

“This is to allow the school management, district education office and state education department to identify the problems faced by the pupils involved,” he said.

A total of 1.18 million students in Group A states — Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu — started their school session today for the 2021/2022 third term.

Schools in Group B states — Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and the federal territories — will open tomorrow.