BY GABRIEL LIHAN
KUCHING: Parents, teachers and students have been familiar with the early morning school ride and that has been the norm being practiced for years.
However, things may change following suggestions from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) senior lecturer Anuar Ahmad that the government start classes at 8 am to ease the burden on teachers, parents and students.
New Sarawak Tribune interviewed some parents, lecturers, and teachers on the issue and received mixed reaction from them.
DR JOSEPH RAMANAIR, 50
Lecturer
This is an interesting observation. I doubt this is a practical idea as most parents who work need to be in their workplace as early as 8 am or by 9 am. Waking up early to start the day is good discipline.
With schools starting early, traffic jams in the major cities can be over and done with faster. As for the rural areas, the issue is not the hour of the day but the journey to school which needs to be improved.
KEEZRAWATI MUJAN YUSUF, 31
Language Teacher
I agree with a later start time because children need sleep for their development. But, I also think changing the time may not help parents who have to rush to work at 8 am and if we start a bit late, we will have to go back a bit later also. That, too, will affect the parents who usually pick their kids during lunch hour. So, overall, while I agree to the suggestion, I think there are a lot more things to consider. Implementing it would mean parents and schools have to readjust to a lot of things.
KATY HANK, 39
Civil Servant
As a parent I would prioritise time for my children, therefore instilling good discipline into my two boys and waking up early is good discipline. Nevertheless, if schooling times are pushed forward to 8 am, it would add to further traffic congestion for those going to work around the same time.
TIJAN HENDRICK HANK, 35
Village chief
I disagree that the time for the schooling period be pushed forward to 8 am because that means parents would need to readjust their time and schedule. This also implies that children in the afternoon session would start their classes later and end later. Maintaining the time schedule just as it is now, is still the right option.
