Education Ministry S School Reopening Plan Draws Mixed Response

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NSTP/MALAI ROSMAH TUAHKUALA LUMPUR: Primary and secondary schools nationwide should reopen soon to avoid further learning loss, mental distress or reduced development of social skill among students, particularly disadvantaged children from low socio-economic groups.
National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Wang Heng Suan expressed his support over the education minister's announcement regarding the reopening of schools on Oct 3.
"The minister has strongly emphasised that safety has been given utmost priority to ensure children remain safe on school grounds.
"NUTP hope teachers would also give their trust and support to the minister. We as educators need and often remind ourselves, students and parents of the importance of maintaining the SOP when the school reopens," he said.
Educationists however, believe that reopening of schools for in-person learning should not be done based on the phases under National Recovery Plan (NRP).
National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Movement chairman Professor Datuk Dr Noraini Idris of University Malaya appealed to the Education Ministry to reconsider their school reopening plan.
She said Primary 1 to Primary 6 and Form 1 to Form 6 students should be give equal opportunity for face-to-face learning, which could be implemented on a daily rotation basis.
This, she said is especially since there is evidence that with stringent adhere to the standard operating procedures and adequate mitigation strategies, schools pose low risk for Covid-19 disease transmission for students, teachers, school staff and the public.
"Students, especially Form 4 and 5, are eager to return to classrooms and they need the motivation to study. It has been over a year (of living with Covid-19), hence I'm sure they are capable of following the SOP.
"Primary schools can begin with Primary 6 pupils, for secondary schools, each form can take turn coming to school in a week. For instance, Mondays for Form 6 (schools that have form 6) or Form 5, Tuesdays for Form 4 and Wednesdays for Form 3.
"Schools are surely able to cater to every level on different days. This is a workable method instead of reopening schools by (NRP) phases. Why must we torture the schools? We must not deprive children of learning and they also need to socialise," she said.
Noraini said e-learning has its own set of challenges, from extra workload for teachers, lack of motivation and failing to reach their objectives each month.
She said the decision to begin the new school term in March 2022 should also be revisited as it could affects school-leavers' plan for further education.
Parent Action Group for Education president Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said in view of the fact that Malaysia has the longest school closure duration in the world and therefore learning loss, attempts should be made to re-open as quickly as possible.
"There are schools that do not have Form 6 so Forms 4 and 5 can open immediately.
"Where teachers are fully-vaccinated, both primary and secondary schools should open immediately too.
"Schools that are confident of reopening should be allowed to do so rather than wait for their turn. Schools know the local situation and their students and parents better.
"Parents too should not underestimate their parental instincts to send or otherwise."
Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Rashid Mohamed of the Academy of Professors Malaysia congratulated the Education Minister for having a much better plan to reopen the schools this time around.
However, he noted that the presentation was rather confusing with many exceptions to the rules and the conditions that these institutions must meet before they are allowed to reopen.
"The main condition set is that this plan is based on the NRP notably the phases in the progression of this pandemic. The dates for the reopening is set but the phases the states are to reopen are kept open based on the phases of the NRP they are in.
"This is where the problem may arise as confusion and misperception among stake holders particularly parents, teachers, pupils and educational administrators may result in utter disorder and chaos.
"As such the implementers particularly the heads of these institutions need to thoroughly understand their roles. They must be given clear and crystal clear explanation, enlightenment and justification of their responsibilities.
"For example what if the school is in an area or state that has fallen backwards say from Phase 3 to Phase 2 – how is the school to operate? For this a hotline must be created to sort out whatever implementation issues that may arise and be operated by those who really understand the plan."
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia education expert Dr Anuar Ahmad said the approach of splitting the class into two groups of students might increase teachers' workload.
"Among the main things that have been introduced in this plan is the system of rotation of student attendance for the purpose of limiting only 50 per cent of students to attend school at any one time.
"This will definitely create constraints for teachers to plan learning and ensure that the subject syllabus can be completed."
A more appropriate method of rotation, he said is to allow pupils to come to school by year or form.
For example, only form four and form five students are present in the first week while Form One to Form Three students are allowed to attend in the second week.
"Physical reorganisation of classes can be done to ensure that physical distancing and SOP are adhered to." - NST

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