School classes will spark students for exams, says Radzi

 

Students sitting for major exams have been given priority to return to school. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Education minister Radzi Jidin hopes a return to face-to-face learning for students sitting for major exams will get them motivated about their studies.

Speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today, Radzi said loss of motivation was the main reason the ministry wanted students in exam classes to return to school on Jan 20.

Schools across the country have been suspended since mid-March last year as part of measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. They were opened in stages from June – only to be closed again from October after a spike in cases.

“That’s why we stress that these students (in exam classes) have to go back to school,” he said when asked about the issue of student motivation.

“That’s one reason why students sitting for major exams have been asked to return to school, including in states under the movement control order (MCO).

“This will ensure they can sit together with their teachers, revise and solve whatever issues they have so they are ready to face their exams,” he added.

The ministry announced yesterday that pupils in primary schools and those in Form 1 to Form 4 in MCO states will undergo online learning from Jan 20, when the regular school year begins in states not under MCO.

However, private kindergartens in MCO states are allowed to stay open. Schoolchildren in other states, including those in private schools and international schools, will follow their regular school calendar.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday announced that Selangor, Penang, Melaka, Johor, Sabah and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya will be placed under a 14-day partial lockdown from Wednesday, with domestic travel banned and social activities restricted.

In those states, only students taking one of six public examinations, and related international examinations, will be allowed back into school.

The public examinations are: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) and Diploma Vokasional Malaysia (DVM) for 2020 and 2021.

Most students have been undergoing online learning for most of last year, but when asked whether the ministry would start taking attendance, Radzi said the same hurdles remain.

“Regarding online learning, we have made clear several times that access to mobile devices and the internet are the biggest challenges.

“However, learning methods are not just available online. Teachers have prepared materials for students to learn at home, and there is also TV Pendidikan (educational programmes on television).

“We will strengthen these methods to make sure children who may not have access to the internet, or may not have a mobile device, will not be left behind in their studies,” he said. - FMT