Orderly first day back for Form 5 students at Kuching school

A teacher checking the temperature of students before they enter class. — Photos: ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KUCHING: It was an orderly first day back at school for students of SMK St Mary here Wednesday (Jan 20) as they observed the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Wearing face masks, they had their temperatures checked by teachers and sanitised their hands before proceeding to their classrooms.

Some 104 Form Five students returned for face-to-face classes at the school on Wednesday (Jan 20).

Only students sitting for the 2020 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia, Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia, Diploma Vokasional Malaysia and certified international exams are allowed to attend physical classes in school during the movement control order period.

Parent Zamuri Bibi said he was not feeling worried about sending his daughter Zani Masdi to school as the SOPs were implemented well.

SMK St Mary students sanitising their hands before entering the classroom. Some 104 Form Five students are attending the school in four classes.

"The school has also made good preparations for reopening. I'm only concerned about her studies as she needs to catch up on them.

"Online learning is different from face-to-face learning. When the students are face to face with the teacher, we feel more confident about their learning," he said.

Zani, meanwhile, said she was happy to meet her friends in class again.