Sarawak groups support Najib’s call to postpone reopening of schools

 

The Sarawak Teachers’ Union wants schools in red zones to continue with online classes.

KUCHING: An educationist has supported Najib Razak’s call for the government to postpone the reopening of schools.

Jonathan Chai, president of the Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Primary Schools in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian, said Sarawak is also experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases in the last few days, hence, it is still not safe for children to return to schools.

“I agree with the former prime minister that schools should reopen after Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 12,” he told FMT.

“I have also received queries from parents on the possibility of postponing the reopening of schools. Apparently, many parents have expressed concern over the safety of their children to go back to school under the deteriorating circumstances.”

Chai said schools could use the first-term break in March and mid-year holidays in May to replace the lost days.

Alternatively, he said, schools may carry out the registration or enrolment of students for the new academic year in batches over the next two weeks and then start the classes through online teaching if the situation does not improve.

Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) president Adam Prakash Abdullah said schools in the red zones should continue with online teaching and learning for the safety of the teachers, students and their families.

“Although teachers have been making preparations and are all ready for the opening of the new school year, we are concerned with the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Sarawak.

“We also urged all teachers to implement teaching and learning effectively under all circumstances,” he said.

On Saturday, Sarawak reported 55 new Covid-19 cases, the highest in a single day for the state so far. - FMT