More educational shows on TV

KUALA LUMPUR: The number of educational TV programmes will be increased to complement the online learning experience for students at home, as well as examination students who are attending classes in school.

From today an additional twohour slot would be added in the Didik TV programme on NTV7, specifically to help Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2020 candidates, the Education Ministry announced yesterday.

“This slot will focus on educational content to help SPM 2020 candidates prepare before facing the examination which will begin on Feb 22,” it said in a statement, adding that the additional programming is scheduled for weekdays from 3pm to 5pm.

The ministry said it will also be adding another five hours of programming on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm, respectively.

Earlier, former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching said the government should move on from physical classes and online lessons and start streaming recorded intensive lessons on educational TV instead for students, especially those sitting for examinations.

Teo had questioned the Education Ministry’s readiness to provide education to students across the board.

“While students can opt not to return to school, online learning isn’t readily offered to them as a choice. So, what options do SPM and STPM candidates really have?” she asked, in light of the Education Ministry’s announcement that it will proceed with the rescheduled SPM and STPM examinations.

Teo said the ministry should realise that the one-size-fits-all approach did not account for regional discrepancies across the nation.