In a statement, education minister Fadhlina Sidek said students in Group A states would start classes on Jan 11 while those in Group B states would start classes on Jan 12.

Group A comprises schools in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu while Group B comprises schools in Melaka, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

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

The resulting lockdown forced prolonged school closures, with the education ministry delaying the start of the academic year from January to March.

Fadhlina said the successful restoration of the school session to begin in January was carried out gradually and in an orderly manner so as not to disrupt education institutions’ operations.