Reopen schools in Pahang rural areas, says DAP rep

 

Tanah Rata assemblyman Chiong Yoke Kong says schools are the only learning platform for Orang Asli and other rural students. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A DAP assemblyman has urged Putrajaya to reopen schools in rural areas in Pahang, saying the policy to close all schools nationwide in view of Covid-19 should be reviewed.

Tanah Rata assemblyman Chiong Yoke Kong said this would prevent the education gap between rural and urban areas from widening, adding that many students and teachers in rural areas could not have online classes.

Chiong said the population density in rural areas is significantly lower than that of towns and cities, and the risk of Covid-19 is lower when SOPs are complied with.

“When visiting the Pos Menson Orang Asli village in Cameron Highlands, I was informed that parents were complaining about how their children cannot study at home. The closure of schools meant the students lost their only learning platform.

Chiong Yoke Kong.

“Schools play an important role in the lives of children in rural areas. The school building is the only place where the learning process can be developed there.

“Additionally, rural areas don’t have tuition classes like cities. Parents can’t replace teachers in teaching their kids,” he said in a statement today.

Chiong said the education ministry should act on this to prevent “disproportionate learning” which would see students in rural areas being left out.

Previously, Parent Action Group for Education honorary secretary Tunku Munawirah Putra had urged the government to reopen all schools across the country, but on a rotation basis with stricter SOPs.

She expressed concern over the possible impact the extended closure on schools would have on children, adding that 77% of them were unable to take part in online learning, according to a Khazanah Research Institute study. - FMT