KUALA LUMPUR – What is the education plan post-lockdown, Pakatan Harapan’s education committee asked Putrajaya as classes are set to resume after the nation’s two-week confinement.
The opposition coalition urged in a statement for a transparent post-lockdown education plan so teachers, students, and parents can prepare during the two weeks of school holidays.
It also called for the administration of Covid-19 vaccines to teachers of all ages to be expedited and for the government to provide a one-off incentive to teachers who have already spent on getting internet data and other tools to facilitate online teaching.
Lastly, the committee demanded that the 150,000 laptops promised by the government be distributed quickly to B40 families.
“The government’s failure, especially the Education Ministry and its minister and deputy ministers, to provide a proactive response will result in profound adverse effects on more than five million students of this and future generations.
“Since online learning started, issues that were repeatedly brought up have yet to be resolved, such as lack of devices, poor internet connectivity, non-conducive learning environments, a syllabus unsuited for online teaching, lack of materials, and the ineffective implementation of TV Pendidikan.”
The committee questioned the plans the Education Ministry has to address the lockdown after the next two weeks.
“We don’t want another last-minute decision such as that has become practice of late.
“If students are to return to physical classes, are the standard operating practices (SOPs) going to be revised? Many teachers and parents have previously voiced their concerns with the ineffective SOPs.
“According to a Health Ministry report, 64,046 children have been infected with Covid-19 as of May 18, of which 23,739 are below the age of 12.”
The committee also highlighted suggestions by the United Nations, urging countries to “prioritise and protect education” through national budgets, stimulus packages, and continuous aid to bridge the education gap.
Malaysia’s mid-term school break will end on June 12 for Group A states and June 13 for Group B. – The Vibes, May 30, 2021
