THE recent announcement by the Education Ministry to reopen schools stage by stage from Sept 1 onwards has created a sense of discomfort among many as they are worried over the students’ safety.
According to the ministry’s statement dated July 17, the home-based teaching and learning at all government schools, government aided schools, private schools and educational institutions registered under them, would continue until Aug 31.
The ministry has also said the decision is subject to change, as the latest risk assessments by the Health Ministry and National Security Council would be considered. The schools will be updated on the reopening of schools at least one week earlier than the date stated.
During a random survey conducted by Buletin Mutiara today, the respondents put the safety of students before education due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
Some are for school reopening but have called on the Federal government to take necessary measures to prevent Covid-19 incidences in schools. These are their views: –
Sungai Pinang state assemblyman Lim Siew Kim
“As a mother of five, I am worried about the safety of my children even as the Ministry of Education is preparing to resume physical classes. My eldest daughter is a teacher herself.
“It is necessary for the ministry to ensure their safety, which also includes the inoculation process for staff and students as well as maintaining strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) in schools.
“In addition, the current situation must also be considered because daily we are having a very high number of Covid-19 cases. This is really frightening. When our students step out there, they are exposed to the risk contracting the virus.
“I hope that the relevant authorities will treat the matter with caution. After all, everyone’s safety and health are the top priority.”
Bhavany Raghavan, 49, Maybank employee
“Although I agree with the reopening of schools, I hope that the schools are only reopened when the number of daily cases are low. This is to ensure the pupils’ safety.
“I have two schoolgoing children, aged 14 and 16. I feel that face to face learning is more effective.
“The Federal Government should accelerate the vaccination programme in our country and the public must also adhere to the SOPs strictly.
“Both the authorities and the public must play their role. Only then we would be able to overcome the current situation successfully.
R. Silvarajoo, 70, human right activist
“Being a grandparent, I feel that children must go to school as virtual learning is not as effective as the physical learning.
“They cannot afford to skip school anymore; it is understood that almost 30% of students do not have a proper internet connection at home.
“Virtual learning needs ‘home-backing’ which is from parents. They must take initiative to sit beside their kids to ensure that learning really takes place. In most of the cases, kids are left alone during their online classes.
“When schools reopen, it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to make the necessary arrangements for the schools to have a safe learning environment.
“This is of paramount importance to prevent any transmission in schools. It is now on the shoulders of the Education Ministry.
Dharmambal Arjunan , 46, Payroll specialist
“It is not safe for schools to re-open especially primary schools. Safety comes first as this what we teach the children.
“Sadly, there is no guarantee that the school will ensure the safety of kids even though SOPs are followed.
“On the other hand, the Federal Government should implement a good system for online classes, so that online teaching and learning will be more effective and thereby produce quality students.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter