No need to rush to reopen schools, says NPTA president
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Parent-Teacher Association (NPTA) has cautioned the Education Ministry and Health Ministry against reopening schools in a hurry.
NPTA president Associate Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Hassan said the authorities must take various factors into account before schools were reopened on Sept 1.
He said concerns that needed to be addressed were the rise in new cases and deaths related to Covid-19, and the fact that Malaysia had yet to reach the 80 per cent vaccinated mark.
“What about students sitting public examinations? Will they be vaccinated? By that time (Sept 1), more states will have moved to Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan, so are they prepared for live teaching and learning?
“Will schools be given funding to update and upkeep equipment? Can we have an assurance about SOP (standard operating procedure) compliance among teachers, students, parents and the community?
“There are more questions that need answers,” he told the New Straits Times.
The Education Ministry on Saturday said online learning would continue until the end of next month, before moving to physical teaching and learning session in stages from Sept 1.
Ali said the government could monitor the Covid-19 situation in the country and make a decision two weeks before the reopening date.
He said schools could be converted into vaccination centres for educational communities.
“We hope the school environment at the time of reopening abides by the ‘Ss’. Sejahtera, Sihat, Selamat, Suntikan, SOP, Selesa, Sedia sepenuhnya and Sempurna (prosperous, healthy, safe, vaccinate, SOP, comfortable, readiness, fully ready) when they reopen.”