Pakatan urges govt to urgently address unresolved issues affecting education sector

PETALING JAYA: The government should address unresolved issues affecting the education sector and announce plans for schools so early preparations can be made by teachers and parents, urges the Pakatan Harapan Education Committee.

Committee chairman Dr Maszlee Malik (pic) said, in a statement Sunday (May 30), that throughout the recent home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) system session, problems affecting teachers and students such as poor Internet access, absence of suitable devices and unconducive learning environments have yet to be addressed by the Education Ministry.

"The promised 150,000 laptops have not been received by students from B40 families," he said.

The committee questioned the government's preparedness and plans for lessons that will be conducted for the upcoming school sessions, including whether standard operating procedures for schools have been updated.

"According to a report from the Health Ministry, a total of 64,046 children had been infected with Covid-19 as of May 18, 2021.

"Of the total, 23,739 were students under the age of 12. School staff, especially teachers, have not been vaccinated despite repeated calls from the committee," the statement read.

Dr Maszlee also called for the Education Ministry to announce a transparent plan for schools post-lockdown in order for parents and students to make early preparations.

"Vaccinations for all teachers should be expedited and not just limited to teachers who are aged and at risk," he said.

The Education Committee also urged the government to provide a "one-off" incentive to teachers, many of whom have been using their own money throughout the various movement control order periods to purchase data, as well as to prepare online teaching aids.

"The government should also expedite the delivery of all 150,000 laptops promised to students from B40 families.

"Failing to come up with a proactive response could have a profound adverse effect on more than five million students of this generation not only for the present but for decades to come," he added.