It’s virtually impossible, teachers union tells govt

 

The new manual expects students and teachers to emulate face-to-face classoom in online classes and teachers say that’s too taxing. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The country’s largest teachers’ union has urged the government to fix its new online learning manual, saying it is asking too much of teachers, students and parents.

In a media statement, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Harry Tan said the new directive did not consider the many limitations of online learning itself.

“The education ministry needs to think of a better approach so that learning does not become a burden,” he said.

Instead of an entirely new manual, Tan told the government to consider improving upon the existing manual instead.

“According to the new manual, online learning sessions take five and a half hours each day,” he said. “That is one and a half hours more screen time than recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.”

Tan said NUTP’s survey had shown more than 14,000 teachers rejecting the new manual and asking the government to improve on the existing one.

Almost 17,000 parents had also asked the government to review its approach to online learning.

“Parents are struggling in trying to provide devices and internet access,” he said. “Especially since prices have soared by more than 70% ever since online learning was introduced.”

He added that it was worse for parents with multiple schooling children.

He pleaded with the education minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin to intervene directly and consider the plights of teachers, students and parents alike.

“NUTP is rather disappointed that the government has yet to reach out for dialogue,” he said. “Especially when NUTP speaks for more than 230,000 teachers nationwide.”

Earlier on Feb 5, it was reported that teachers were fuming over the new manual. The new directive requires students to follow a full timetable similar to the one in face-to-face learning.

One teacher, MK Izzuddin, took to social media to express his unhappiness and asked if the ministry thought online learning was the same as classroom learning.

“Is the ministry taking into account the burden shouldered by parents who have to monitor their children’s online learning?” he asked. “What about their work if they have to monitor their children from 7.30am to 1pm every day?”

FMT has reached out to the education ministry for comments on the manual. - FMT