PUTRAJAYA’s decision to allow schools to carry out home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) for two weeks after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri school break has been met with various reactions from the public and parents.
The online learning became a norm for many students during the movement control order (MCO) to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections for much of last year and the early part of this year.
Some of the parents agree with the Education Ministry’s decision to reintroduce online learning to curb the transmission of the Covid-19 virus while others doubt whether it is a right move.
Buletin Mutiara today has garnered different views after interviewing some members of the public in Penang.
Chen Pooi Yee (33, multinational company executive)
“First of all, we need to understand that the current situation is not the best time for students to go back to school.
“As you can see, the number of infections involving school clusters has steadily increased ever since schools reopened.
“Besides that, it will be more convenient for the students to take part in home-based learning. We need to accept the reality that this would be the new norm for a few more years.
“Although the vaccination process is now ongoing, we still need to adapt to this new online learning environment.
“Hence, I am supportive of this effort.”
Mohd Kamal Shahruddin (45, shopkeeper)
“My wife and I are totally in favour of the government’s decision to let the students follow their school lessons from home.
“As parents, we are anxious with our sons’ well-being, especially under these circumstances.
“We know that the kids tend to playful when they are at home. But we don’t have any choice when it comes to their health and safety.
“It’s better to be late than never.”
Boey Ka Loon (33, private sector manager)
“As a parent of two, I strongly want my children to attend classes in schools rather than through an online platform.
“The reason is that I feel my kids couldn’t concentrate on their lessons when they are at home. They would doze off. Other times, there are too many distractions as well.
“One of the biggest problems while studying via online is over communication, as the students may face difficulties in consulting their teachers. One reason could be slow or weak internet connection.
“Sometimes, we don’t have time to teach them as well because we are preoccupied with office workload.”
Yeoh Kee Chai (38, auditor)
“I feel that physical interaction is still the best way for teaching and learning.
“Although I may belong to the old school, I still feel students can expose themselves better in such environment.
“The authorities should tighten the standard operating procedures (SOPs) rather than revert to online learning.
“The pandemic has already existed in our community and what we can do is to adapt to it.”
Kelvin Ong Ghee Tien (42, freelancer)
“I don’t agree with the authorities’ decision to carry on online classes as many of the kids could not pay attention at home.
“For instance, I have two kids, aged four and nine. When they have online classes, parents must be at home as well to supervise them.
“When they are at schools, the teachers can guide and provide them with better knowledge.”
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting