Bernama file photo of school pupils for illustration purpose.
KUCHING: The state Education Department has confirmed that there will be two extra holidays for students in Sarawak prior to Gawai Dayak next year.
Based on the latest circular from the Ministry of Education (MOE)’s headquarters in Putrajaya, schools in Sarawak will be closed on May 30 and 31 next year, in connection with the Gawai Dayak celebrations on June 1 and 2.
This circular, which has gone viral on social media, was issued to inform all about the changes made to next year’s school term.
“Yes, as far as the MOE is concerned, that (circular) is official,” confirmed state Education Department director Rakayah Madon yesterday.
The initial release of the semester-based school schedule for next year had earlier caused uproar among the Dayaks, as it did not include Gawai Dayak as part of its mid-year holidays.
It was not immediately known if the adjustments were made following the dissatisfaction raised by the Dayak community.
The 16-day mid-year holidays runs from June 8 to 23 for schools in Kedah, Johor, Kelantan and Terengganu; and from June 9 to 24 for schools in Perlis, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.
Based on the latest adjustments, the extra two-day break for Gawai Dayak will only apply to schools in Sarawak, while schools in Sabah will be closed on May 28 and June 1 in celebration with the Kaamatan.
For the record, June 1 next year will be a Friday and June 2, a Saturday. With the two extra holidays next year, students in Sarawak will get to enjoy days off from May 29 (Wesak Day, also public holiday) to June 3 (which is a Sunday).
Another public holiday slated for June next year will be Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which is expected to fall either on June 15 or 16.