MIRI – Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing is calling on the Education Ministry to immediately close all primary and secondary schools in Bintulu in view of the escalating number of Covid-19 cases in town.
“This is my appeal to the Education Ministry to immediately close schools for two weeks, use online classes to continue the school curriculum and allow only students sitting for SPM and STPM exams to return to school,” said Tiong in a statement.
“However, schools in rural and suburban areas may be allowed to remain open for face-to-face lessons as they are not directly affected by the outbreaks.”
Tiong, who is Progressive Democratic Party president, said a letter to that effect has been submitted to the Education Ministry and state Education Department.
He said parents and teachers have expressed their concerns about the coronavirus situation in Bintulu.
“Bintulu is seeing a surge in positive cases as well as deaths,” he said.
Tg Batu rep Chiew Ching Sing told The Vibes that the Covid-19 situation in Bintulu town is serious.
Chiew said an increasing number of children in primary schools are getting infected, with the number increasing at a worrying rate.
“At least six primary schools have reported Covid-19 infections and at each of the schools, at least three pupils have been infected.
“Health teams have been carrying out active screenings and contact tracing.
“The Education Department must seriously consider halting school sessions in districts seeing serious infections,” said Chiew, who is Sarawak DAP deputy chairman.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has questioned the decision by the state Disaster Management Committee and Education Department to reopen schools.
“Sarawak is still in the midst of seeing serious levels of Covid-19 infections based on its daily figures.
“Under such circumstances, is it wise to allow so many schools to operate at this time?
“What sort of risk assessment has been carried out by the state and education authorities?
“Can they assure that schooling at this time will not pose any danger of widespread infection?
“Parents and the public are worried about this sort of abrupt flip-flop decision made by state authorities,” he said.
Some 2,000 Sarawak government and government-aided schools have reopened thus far.
Dr Yii said the Education Department should give students and their parents the choice of whether they wanted to return to school or otherwise.
Sarawak recorded 124 deaths and about 20,000 Covid-19 cases as of yesterday evening. – The Vibes, April 12, 2021
