As schools stand to remain closed for much longer, experts have implored the government to take immediate steps to help students left behind by home-based and online learning initiatives.

They have deemed existing measures insufficient and proposed a list of interventions that include loaning out electronic devices and providing free mobile Internet data.

Alternatives to online lessons should also be considered - like maximising the use of terrestrial television, radio and physical worksheets for educational purposes.

Students have already spent seven weeks outside the classroom under the movement control order (MCO). Experts warn that a further delay in responses could result in long-term adverse effects on those who do not have the means to adapt.

The ideas in this article were drawn from conversations with former education minister Maszlee Malik, former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching and education non-profit Teach for Malaysia CEO Chan Soon Seng.

Also referenced is the Khazanah Research Institute article entitled “Covid-19 and Unequal Learning” by Hawati Abdul Hamid and Jarud Romadan Khalidid...