Strict SOPs a must prior to school reopening
MIRI: There should be no problem in allowing upper secondary school students to resume schooling first, as long as there is a set of strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) that must be complied with to prevent further spread of Covid19 and recurrence of positive cases.
For academician Karambir Singh Honey, the proposal for Form 5 and 6 students to re-attend classes once the situation in Sarawak allows it, is ‘duly supported, provided that everyone must adhere to the highest level of hygiene practices.
“All classes must comply with the SOPs – the number of students in each class must be capped at the recommended maximum (limit). In addition, all students must undergo proper education about the awareness and importance of adhering to the hygiene protocols while at school.
“Such approach would allow the school management to gain experience in handling the hygiene aspects of the school post-MCO (Movement Control Order) /CMCO (Conditional Movement Control Order) in the long-term. Ultimately, the priority must always be on the lives and safety of students,” Karambir, who is a father of three daughters – aged 16, 20 and 22 – told thesundaypost yesterday.
For entrepreneur Mohd Hafidz Rohani, he regarded the reopening of schools as ‘a hard decision for all parties’.
“The announcement for the reopening of schools will be made in early June. Being a father of two primary school-children and one who stays in a dormitory, this certainly worries me.
“On the other hand, education seems to have been ‘abandoned’ (during the MCO/CMCO period) and the teaching-learning sessions via Google Classroom have their advantages and disadvantages. To me, learning via these virtual channels is not particularly effective, especially for primary school children.
“Should schools be reopened soon, I hope that the highest level of health and safety measures would be taken such as not holding any big gathering, the class being limited to only 20 students, teachers and students who are unwell must be prohibited from entering schools, and recess should be extended and (the students be) divided into small groups.
“For students staying in dormitories, the situation may be more controlled, but the children’s outings and overnight hours should be minimised to prevent the virus from being ‘brought’ into the hostel.
“I also recommend the Ministry of Education to reschedule the school term to July, instead of January,” opined Mohd Hafidz.
Irene Choo, whose three children are in Primary 3, Form 3 and Form 4, said she would leave the decision of which student should start school first to the ministry.
“Covid-19 affects all ages. I would still fear for my children’s health and safety should they be requested to go back to school during this pandemic — I just believe that it is best to reopen schools when everything is totally safe for everyone.
“Currently, my children are doing their studies online and watching educational television programmes – although this is not the same as being in class and taught by qualified teachers.
“Studying online limits their input and understanding, but at least it gives us parents peace of mind knowing that they’re not exposed to Covid-19 at school,” she said, pointing out that should schools reopen, strict SOPs on hygiene practices and other facilities must be in place.
“The school management should study and review the way food is packaged and sold at the canteen, ensure that all classrooms and toilets are sanitised regularly and perhaps,