Former school head notes mixed reactions to proposed reopening of schools
MIRI: The proposed reopening of schools for face-to-face learning sessions for Form 5 and Form 6 students this July 26, had received mixed reactions from the public, said former educationist Marcus Hugo Matu Lejau.
Marcus, a former school principal, said this was mainly due to the alarming Covid-19 situation nationwide, which saw the number of positive cases climbing to 9,353 on Saturday.
“Perhaps the Ministry of Education (MoE) should consider not giving a blanket ruling for all the schools nationwide.
“The MoE could cooperate with the National Security Council (MKN) in allowing schools in non-red Zones only for Form 5 and Form 6 students to come to school physically,” he said in statement yesterday.
He pointed out that face-toface sessions, however, must follow strictly all the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines.
He also stressed that, if the schools were to be opened on July 26, all the teachers involved should have been vaccinated.
“If possible, all the students should also have been vaccinated. If any teacher or student is coming or travelling from outside the district, then they should be subjected to swab-testing before coming to school.
“These measures may ease some worries of parents and give them confidence to send their children to school,” he said.
Marcus pointed out that it was important for these students to return to the classrooms and attend faceto-face sessions to get them better prepared for their public examinations, which they would sit at the end of the year.
“This opportunity of physical learning might help them catch up, discuss or clarify whatever topical problems that they might have face-to-face with the respective subject teachers.
“Teachers can also use the opportunity to cover the critical and important topics, which is easier explained when interacting with students physically,” he said.
The MoE, in a statement on July 4, said the announcement on school reopening for the next term slated for July 25 (Group A) and July 26 (Group B) would be made at least a week before.
Schools under Group A are Kedah, Johor, Kelantan and Terengganu, while in Group B are Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.