Education groups welcome decision to reopen schools this month

 

The education ministry needs to ensure that schools are strict in implementing the SOPs when they reopen, says PAGE.

PETALING JAYA: Education experts have welcomed the government’s decision to reopen all schools according to the 2021 academic calendar, saying any delay could do more harm than good.

On Saturday, the education ministry announced that all schools, including private and international schools, will be reopened according to the 2021 academic calendar.

The 2021 school year in government schools and government-assisted schools will be from Jan 20 to Dec 9 for states in Group A (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) and from Jan 20 to Dec 10 for states in Group B (all other states and territories).

Private and international schools will follow their respective academic calendars.

The ministry said the reopening of schools would involve all educational institutions across the country, including areas under the conditional movement control order (CMCO).

Harry Tan Huat Hock.

Speaking to FMT, NUTP secretary-general Harry Tan Huat Hock urged Malaysians to put faith in the ministry’s decision.

“We support the education ministry’s call. Let them make the decision and do the planning based on the data, statistics and information available to them.

“As citizens, we need to abide by the authority to keep us safe and at the same time, not to disrupt our daily lives.

“As teachers, we are sticking to our core business, that is to provide the best holistic education to our students in a safe environment,” he said.

Education group Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) said while it was undeniable that the education ministry had received the green light from the health ministry before making such an announcement, the education ministry needed to ensure that schools are stricter in implementing the SOPs.

Tunku Munawirah Putra.

“The situation has worsened, therefore we need a more specific and stricter enforcement with tighter SOPs,” PAGE honorary secretary Tunku Munawirah Putra told FMT.

She said precautionary measures must be undertaken at every stage, “beginning from the surroundings at homes, on the way to school and during school hours”.

Further, Tunku Munawirah proposed for the education ministry to reopen schools on a rotation basis.

To prevent overcrowding but still give all students the equal opportunity to be in school, she said schools should split the students into two groups – Group A comprising non-examination year students and Group B comprising examination year students, such as SPM and STPM.

“Group A will go to school on Mondays to Wednesdays while Group B will go to school on Thursdays to Saturdays.

Mak Chee Kin.

“Their school days should be reduced to three days a week of physical classes, while the off days are complemented with blended learning, online classes and workbooks,” she said.

The Melaka Action Group for Parents (Magpie) concurred with Tunku Munawirah, proposing for schools to conduct hybrid lessons.

“Those who do not have the online facilities and connectivity can return to school whereas those who have can opt to remain at home,” Magpie chairman Mak Chee Kin said. - FMT