Allowing Form 5, 6 classes to resume first a practical move – union

BINTULU: Allowing upper secondary classes to resume soon is a practical way to move forward amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chairperson of Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) Bintulu branch, Soo Siew Huong, said to allow Form 5 and 6 students back to school first will allow schools to observe and practise the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

“From the experiences of handling the SOPs, school managements will be able to cope well when schools fully reopen,” she said. She said most parents also agreed that upper secondary classes should open first because Form 5 and 6 students would be sitting for their public examinations next year.

“The students’ health and safety are the primary concern of the Ministry of Education before allowing students back in schools,” said Soo when asked on the possibility of the schools reopening soon. According to her, most of schools have received the SOPs for school reopening such as the need for social distancing, the use of hand sanitiser, putting up more sinks for the students to wash their hands, record the temperatures of teachers, students, contract workers and visitors, and others.

“It may be quite challenging for the younger primary school and kindergarten pupils to go back to school too soon.