fbpx
Connect with us

News

“What’s the rationale?” Former Education Minister Shares How Schools Should Be Reopened

Published

For Illustration Purpose Only 4
Source:Maszlee | Instagram & CNA | Instagram

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.

With the Covid-19 cases climbing higher each day, many parents are doubting the safety of sending their children back to school in September given that those under 18-years-old will not be given their vaccination appointments yet.

Former Education Minister, Dr Maszlee took to his social media recently to question the rationale behind the reopening schools in stages from 1 September onwards and gave suggestions as to how the Education Ministry can conduct the reopening of schools more effectively. He posted a letter titled: What is the Rationale of Opening Schools on the 1 September?

Img 7142

Dr Maszlee’s Letter

Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced on 15 June that schools will be re-opened when the nation steps into Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan that is expected to take place in September and October.

In his letter, Dr Maszlee highlighted that the current Education Ministry took a generalised decision in reopening the schools without presenting scientific data and taking into consideration the differing needs of urban and rural schools.

“I’ve been contacted by educators, management, authorities and parents while also suggesting requirements prior to the reopening of schools nationwide.”

Worrying concerns against the reopening of schools 

  1. The high number of infected cases and death level worries parents as students are not vaccinated.
  2. Parents, especially those in the B40 category and those who have lost their jobs are troubled as it is costly to prepare their children to go back to school for the remaining two months till the end of the 2021 schooling term.
  3. There are no proper SOPs based on science and data for the reopening of schools, triggering worry for parents in fear of a repeated mistake like April’s reopening that disrupted the children’s education due to the ministry’s ‘flip flop’ decisions.
  4. Teachers left questioning at the rush to reopen schools when they have done multiple improvisations to conducting their classes in the last 16 months and the SPM 2020 results clearly show that education can be conducted online.
  5. Parents questioning the rationale behind the ministry’s decision and if this is a way to stop the distribution programme of 150,000 computers to help poor students.

The former Education Minister then added that teachers and parents can be rational to agree with the reopening of schools if certain requirements and regulations are put into place.

Reopening Schools Malaysia

Suggested requirements by Dr Maszlee 

  1. Special SOPs to categorise unvaccinated students, based on science and data.
  2. Complete vaccination process for all teachers and school staff without exception. The safety and well-being of teachers and school employees must be prioritised in all decisions taken.
  3. Review vaccination programmes for SPM, STAM, and STPM class students.
  4. Only allow students with vaccinated (at least the first dosage) family members to attend school to avoid new school clusters.
  5. The Education Ministry must discuss with NUTP, Kesatuan Guru-Guru Malaysia Barat (KGMMB), Majlis Pengetua Sekolah Malaysia (MPSM), and Gabungan Majlis Guru Besar Malaysia (GMGBM), the parents association, and the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA) before making any decision on this issue.
  6.  Implement the reopening of schools in stages with priority given to a) rural schools students first b) followed by schools in the green zone, c) then opening the schools with vaccine recipients that have achieved herd immunity.
  7. Rotating school schedules also needs to be implemented in addition to stricter SOPs for compact schools. He also suggested alternative education be implemented.
  8. Students in the lower primary (Standard 1 to Standard 3) can go back to school with stricter SOPs monitored with a small number of students in each class and reduced schooling hours. Increase the time they are outside of class and in the open environment as recommended by medical practitioners.
  9. To give the power of autonomy to the school to formulate the best decision while taking into consideration the situation of each locality and based on guidance from all stakeholders and also the National Security Council.

Reopening Schools Malaysia Suggestions Maszlee

In his ending note, he states that the government needs to realise, that the trust deficit of the people towards the Education Ministry is serious and severe. The stress faced by teachers, parents, and students due to the absence of strategic planning and implementation by the Education Ministry is worrisome. This time, the Education Ministry must act smarter, more strategically, and be transparent too. He continued to reinstate that education is not to be politicised and the children’s education is the country’s future and it should be done truthfully and professionally.

 

Also read: MOE: Schools To Reopen In Stages For Face-to-Face Learning From September Onwards

Children Going To School During Pandemic

Source: CNA
Source: Xin Hua Net

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.



Just In

Feat Image Killing Feat Image Killing
News13 hours ago

The Inconsistent Law Allowing Local Councils in M’sia to Kill Stray Dogs by Shooting Them With Firearms

The killing of a stray dog, affectionately known as ‘Kopi’, in Besut, Terengganu, sparked outrage nationwide last month as the...

Collage 12 2 Collage 12 2
News14 hours ago

64yo Woman Turns Her Home into a Literal Prison With Iron Bars to Keep Drug-Addicted Son at Home

A 64-year-old woman from Thailand has come up with desperate measures in an attempt to help her 42-year-old son overcome...

My Post 1 2024 11 13T162127.643 My Post 1 2024 11 13T162127.643
News14 hours ago

21yo Woman Dies in Freak Accident After Container Overturns & Crushes Her Car at Penang Traffic Light

A young woman lost her life while a man was injured after the vehicles they were in were hit and...

My Post 1 2024 11 13T151827.903 My Post 1 2024 11 13T151827.903
News15 hours ago

Defence Minister: Year 1 UPNM Students Will Be Separated from Seniors to Prevent Bullying

Recently, the National Defence University (UPNM) has been riddled with controversy surrounding several bullying and abuse cases among their cadets,...

Collage 10 1 Collage 10 1
News17 hours ago

M’sian Courier Company Issues Apology After Viral Video Shows Van Driver Running Over Dog in Banting

A recent video circulating online shows a GD Express (GDEX) delivery driver making a routine delivery in a housing area...

Collage 9 1 Collage 9 1
News19 hours ago

34yo M’sian Found Dead After Allegedly Falling into a Water Container in His Home Bathroom

In recent news, a man was found dead after he was believed to have fallen into a water container in...

My Post 1 2024 11 13T105621.505 My Post 1 2024 11 13T105621.505
News19 hours ago

“They’ve amassed RM4.3mil” – Robbers Behind 44 Safe-Breaking Cases Shot Dead By PDRM at Jalan Imbi 

A group of Vietnamese nationals were shot dead at Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, at 11:30pm last night (November 12) during...

Feat Image Lhdn Evasion Feat Image Lhdn Evasion
News2 days ago

Here’s How M’sians Can Anonymously Report Someone Who’s Evading Taxes to LHDN

Previously, we shared how Malaysian entrepreneur and influencer Cik Epal claimed that her ex-husband, Jofliam, who owns a pizza business,...

Announcement

Latest Videos



TRENDING TODAY