KUCHING: Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) has proposed that schools in Sarawak be closed based on the colour code system, and that this be considered by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
STU president Adam Prakesh Abdullah said this was particularly necessary for schools in safe zones so that students could continue to learn as usual, but schools in red zones should be closed immediately.
He pointed out that if the situation allowed, schools should be opened as usual for the sake of students who would be taking the SPM and STPM examinations this year.
“The proposed colour coding system is very effective and suitable, particularly for students who will sit for exams this year, as well as curbing the spread of Covid-19.”
The STU president added that the Sarawak Education Department (JPNS) be consulted in playing a role as decisionmaker on the closure of schools in the state.
“STU is aware that school closures in Sarawak have been made on the advice of MOH and SDMC. Teachers can only hope that the closure order is given by the authorities so that there are no more conflicting orders as in the past.
“This is why STU hopes that Sarawak JPNS will also be consulted in making the decision.”
Adam believed that there were several reasons why colour code system should be considered.
“We want our students to learn collaboratively, creatively, objectively, effectively connect, and to develop character and citizenship. This can be accomplished easily when students attend school in person.
“Especially for students with special needs that need the intervention of teachers in order to be trained. As a result, school is the best place to provide equal opportunities to all students in order for them to succeed and this can be achieved through a traditional way of teaching.”
He also expressed concern towards students in rural areas who are having difficulties with their online learning due to the lack of Internet access.
“Despite the government’s current efforts to provide Internet access in rural areas, there are still schools that are unable to effectively introduce home-based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) due to a lack of Internet access.
“Students will not receive the best explanations through online learning because there is no opportunity to communicate with teachers traditionally, particularly students who do not have Internet access.”
STU urged that a committee be formed to assess the implementation of PdPR in Sarawak and how it could be strengthened in future.
“We sincerely hope that school session can be extended in the immediate future so that regular schooling will resume, perhaps an action plan can be developed so that PdPR can be applied using guidelines that can be used by all schools with fast Internet access.
“PdPR is a modern standard, and we must agree that it will be the learning implementation protocol in the future. Sarawak must use this pandemic to develop an efficient distribution mechanism in times of emergency, such as this one, so that we are not all left behind.”
