Schools in Penang reopen in stages beginning today

Admin

 

WITH the gradual reopening of schools in Penang from today, special needs students are now allowed to attend physical classes while those primary pupils will have to stick with home-based learning and teaching.

Others allowed to return to school are Form Six second semester students, third semester students of sports schools and others who are taking international examinations.

These conditions were in accordance with the authorities’ decision for the schools in states that are under the phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

Checks by Buletin Mutiara at several schools in Penang today showed that strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) were adhered to amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Although the daily cases have dropped, those interviewed said it is important to remain vigilant to prevent another round of infections from spreading.

Lim

According to Chung Ling High School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president Lim Kim Seng, the school attendance was at about 85%.

“There are a total of 118 Upper Six students here and the turn up percentage is great.

“We maintain our SOPs, which require everyone, including the teachers and students, to be fully vaccinated. No matter what, we must follow the SOPs,” he said.

Yap

For SMJK Jit Sin PTA president Yap Kim Gui, there are a total of 143 Upper Six students in the school out of which 131 have turned up today.

“It’s about 91% attendance while the absentees have written to inform the school.

“I hope all the students and teachers can follow the usual SOPs,” he said.

Iqbal

SMK Convent Butterworth PTA vice-chairman Mohd Iqbal Mohd Yusoff was delighted with the reopening of schools in stages.

“I think it’s time for other students to return to schools now that the Covid-19 cases have dropped.

“Learning can only be carried out in a proper manner through the physical presence. When classes are conducted virtually, many students are easily distracted, ” he added.

Chee

Nicholas Chee, who is an Upper Six student in Penang Free School, was upbeat to return to school.

 

After having online classes for about five months, the 19-year-old said he was excited to meet his peers.

“Furthermore, I feel that I can pay better attention in a physical class.

“The SOP guidelines are strict as all of us need to be fully vaccinated before being allowed to return to school.

“I hope that everything will back to normal soon,” he said.

Ang Zi Xuan, who is a Sixth Former in SMJK Jit Sin, said he would need time to readapt to face-to-face school system.

“It has been a long time since we had our lessons through online and I need time to slowly pick up from where we had left off.

“Anyway, I feel good so far in adapting myself on this first day,” he said.

 

Story by Edmund Lee
Pix courtesy of interviewees