KUCHING: The Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS)has reminded students not to treat the 14-day school closure as a holiday.
KGBS president Ahmad Malie said despite the school closure, there was a possibility that online learning session might be implemented.
“This reminder is necessary because the Union is worried that the students will start to perceive the school closure as a holiday and forget about their education.
“The closure of schools in the month of Ramadan may boost the students’ mood for Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai celebrations,” he told New Sarawak Tribune on Monday (April 19).
Ahmad was referring to the recent announcement by the state government to close all schools in the red zone areas statewide for two weeks beginning on tomorrow (Apr 20).
He appealed to parents to monitor the movements of their children during the school closure to make sure they did not lag behind in their education.
Ahmad also called on all parties, especially parents, to accept the school closure announcement with an open heart in an effort to support the steps taken by the government to overcome the worrying curve of Covid-19 transmission.
“This is because according to the recent report, there were cases of local infections involving teachers and students in certain schools.
“Therefore, it is only appropriate for the government to close down school operations as a control measure against the Covid-19 outbreak,” he explained.
KGBS also suggested the Ministry of Education (MOE) find alternative learning methods to avoid the closure of face-to-face school operations in the event of an increase in covid cases.
Ahmad also urged the education fraternity to always comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government.
He reminded the teachers not to be complacent even if some of them had received the Covid-19 vaccines.
Earlier, Abang Johari announced that all schools in the red zone areas would be closed for 14 days starting tomorrow.
“This is because we see that there are cases reported from the schools which can cause the students to transmit the virus to their parents or vice versa, and there are also teachers who can transmit the virus to the students,” he told a press conference on the enforcement of the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today (Apr 19).
