MPs express concern about education during pandemic

Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli
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KUALA LUMPUR – Several MPs debating the Supply Bill 2021 in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday raised their concern about education, especially with regard to the teaching and learning process during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PAS-Dungun) said educational institutions were severely affected by the pandemic, especially during the Movement Control Order (MCO), when universities were forced to cut their tuition fees.

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Therefore, he said the maximum use of technology and internet access was very necessary for students to continue their learning at home online.

“All of this requires sufficient and consistent funds to ensure that educational institutions can operate properly,” he said.

Datuk Salim Sharif (BN-Jempol) supported the call, saying with schools currently closed, the aspect of digital networking and internet access should be improved to ensure that students can continue with their studies.

Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PAS-Kuala Krai) urged MOE to provide an online learning schedule, especially for students who will sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination.

He also suggested for some excellent teachers to conduct teaching in a creative manner via special television broadcasts, as the move would also be in preparation for the next schooling session.

Meanwhile, Dr Maszlee Malik (Independent-Simpang Renggam) suggested for the government to continue with the Supplementary Food Plan (RMT) even when schools were closed, to ensure that students from poor families and people with disabilities still had access to nutritious food.

According to Maszlee, healthy food could be delivered by canteen operators to students at their homes, thus also giving some income to canteen operators who were also affected by the closure of schools.

“The school closure affects the poor students, who previously received nutritious food every day at school, so if it can be implemented again during the school closure due to COVID-19, we can help the 600,000 children affected,” he said.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting continues today.

— BERNAMA

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