No online classes to avoid students missing out
Some of them might not have internet access at home: Ministry
PETALING JAYA: Higher education institutions are not allowed to conduct classes online during the two-week restriction of movement order to prevent some students from missing out on the syllabus.
The Higher Education Ministry explained the decision was in the interest of all students, noting that some might not have internet access at home.
It said only institutions that offer teaching and learning fully online are allowed to conduct their classes through the internet, provided all students and lecturers have access.
“For public and private universities that do not fully use online teaching and learning, they are not allowed to carry on with their activities,” it said in an FAQ yesterday.
On Monday, the prime minister announced the country would be under movement control order from March 18 to 31 to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Following this, the Higher Education Ministry on Tuesday issued a guideline to all higher learning institutions, notifying them that all teaching and learning activities, including e-learning, tests, and researches, would be suspended temporarily.
The decision has been questioned and criticised by several quarters, with many saying the move was backward-thinking.
Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said with physical classes having been called off for two weeks, it was important that students remain productive during this period.
She pointed out the vast majority of students, if not all, would already have internet access to allow for such online classes to be carried out.
“E-learning should be encouraged. They should remain productive, as productivity does not only apply to the employment sector. What are the students going to do now at home? This is not the way to go,” she told theSun.
“The best step would have been for all physical classes to be cancelled and students be required to remain in campus to take part in online classes,” she added.