COMMENT | Time to reopen the schools
COMMENT | With the movement control order (MCO) eventually going to be removed sooner rather than later, the time has come for schools in our nation to be reopened as well.
We as a nation need to be prepared as comprehensively as possible in order to ensure the new normal protects our most valuable resources, our children’s well being from the threat of Covid -19.
First and foremost we need to concede that big changes and transformations may be the only viable option when confronting the new realities of schooling for our students.
Minor changes just for the sake of change which aren’t holistic in nature will surely lead to a very negative break out of the pandemic within the safety and sanctity of school walls...
COMMENT | With the movement control order (MCO) eventually going to be removed sooner rather than later, the time has come for schools in our nation to be reopened as well.
We as a nation need to be prepared as comprehensively as possible in order to ensure the new normal protects our most valuable resources, our children’s well being from the threat of Covid -19.
First and foremost we need to concede that big changes and transformations may be the only viable option when confronting the new realities of schooling for our students.
Minor changes just for the sake of change which aren’t holistic in nature will surely lead to a very negative break out of the pandemic within the safety and sanctity of school walls.
However, with every challenge there are opportunities to be taken advantage of.
Maybe it’s time both the public and private sector take a serious look at making the option of guided learning from home a permanent fixture.
In order to do this, more encouragement is needed both at a policy and infrastructural level to encourage online learning platforms.
This can be extended and include those outside the traditional students to even be an avenue for life long learning for individuals who need to upgrade and enhance their skill set in the rapidly changing working environment.
A one size fits all solution is also not a viable option because our over 10,000 schools each have different levels of facilities and infrastructure as well as student density.
A deep study into these variables has to be conducted by the Education Ministry so that the preventive measures are tailor-made to the schools targeted.
As an example, some schools are filled to the brim and small in size, hence would be an impossibility to ensure adequate social distancing.
One of the more revolutionary ideas could be used is to remodel the very construct of existing schools to ensure fewer students are there at any one time.
This in tandem with upgrading the learning from home infrastructure would be an amalgamation that could help the nation navigate the challenges this pandemic has brought about.
Also, all layers of society and stakeholders have to work together and sacrifice to make sure the health and well being of the students are never risked.
Parents have to inculcate norms such as regular hand washing and non-touching of the children’s faces.
They must also explain the importance of social distancing not only in school but everywhere outside the home.
Teachers, on the other hand, have to be vigilant that all rules and regulations to combat the spread of disease are unflinchingly observed by students while also being extra observant of symptoms of the disease so early detection and remedial actions can be taken to curb the spread.
There are no easy answers but I’m confident the education ministry will thoroughly explore all options and come up with the best practises and SOPs to protect our children.
All of us need to do our part and sacrifice so that schooling can continue as normally as possible until a vaccine is developed or the disease dies a natural death.
Let us all work together, cooperate and join forces to defeat this unseen enemy affecting all facets of our life and livelihood.
P KAMALANATHAN is MIC education bureau chairperson and former deputy education minister.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
