GEORGE TOWN: While some are comfortable attending classes online, there are those who can’t wait to be surrounded by their peers in schools.
Form Five student V. Suman, 17, said he was excited to go back to school as he had not met many of his friends due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Besides catching up with friends, my priority now is to do well in the SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) examinations.
“I hope there would not be any disruption like what happened last year.
“The online syllabus is not as comprehensive and I have a lot of catching up to do once physical classes resume, ” said Suman, who studies in a secondary school in Jelutong.
Secondary schools in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu restarted yesterday while students in other states, including Penang, are returning to schools today.
Private schools under the ministry also follow those starting dates.
Suman’s father A. Veerasimman said his son had been going through a lot of stress over online studies for the past few months.
“For a moment, I was afraid he could not cope with online classes and tuition over the last few months at home.
“Every day, he would be cooped up in his room. My wife and I were worried about his health, ” said Veerasimman, 48, a businessman.
Gabrielle Yee, 16, said the reopening of schools would not bring much difference as she was comfortable studying online.
“While I need to prepare early when going to school, online classes give me the freedom of planning my studying schedule.
“I am not taking any tuition classes, so I have ample time to concentrate on my schoolwork.
“But it’s still best to go back to school as I can meet my friends again. I really miss them, ” said Yee, who studies at a secondary school in Jelutong.
Her father Bee Hoe, 52, said Gabrielle had been coping well with online studies.
“She has been studying until late in the night, ” said Bee Hoe, who lives in Paya Terubong.
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