SIBU, Nov 9: A member of the Senate opined that the decision to shut down all schools as Malaysia seeks to limit the rising number of new Covid-19 infections is not a well thought out action plan to deal with the spread of Covid-19.
“It is reactionary and again using one rule to fit all,” Senator Robert Lau opined in a statement today.
He noted that since the start of the pandemic in March, large areas of Sarawak remained Covid-19 green zones (zero cases) and only some towns and divisions were declared yellow zones (below 40 cases) throughout the MCO and RMCO.
“The people in these areas abide by the rules generally. They pay a huge price in order to comply (with restricted movement orders) to help fight the virus. We just started to pick up and adjust to the new norm — physical distancing, wearing of face masks, regular hand washing and no big gathering. Those communities that have followed these new norms remain (sic) to have no or low cases. They have played their part,” he added.
However, Lau pointed out, they are again adversely affected for a problem not of their creation and students are are again on the losing end.
He asserted that it was therefore disappointing to see that after more than half-a-year, the decision to close all schools was made without taking into consideration factors such as the differences between areas that are badly affected and those that are not.
Most of the areas badly affected are cities or places with large populations while the smaller towns, villages and rural communities are largely in the clear.
As an example, Lau cited the central region of Sarawak comprising Sibu, Sarikei, Mukah and Kapit Divisions which make up a third of Sarawak’s land mass and is also equivalent to a third of the peninsula in size.
“This area is in the clear. Why should the schools be closed?” he questioned.
While students and teachers can continue using e-learning when schools are closed, but the reality on the ground shows that many of these areas have poor or non-existent Internet connectivity, he added.
“Such one-size-fits-all decision does not bode well to reduce the gap between the haves and have-nots; the urban and the rural communities,” he asserted.
Lau pointed out his disappointment that tuition centres in Sibu Division were asked to close despite Sibu being a Covid-19 green zone and the tuition centres having complied with standard operating procedures (SOPs) before reopening few months ago.
“I urge policy makers and administrators to review their decisions and take into consideration the factors mentioned above,” he added.
Lau also suggested that decision-making over school closures in Sarawak be delegated to the state.
“Sarawak is a huge territory and decisions such as schools opening or closing to fight the virus spread should be made at the state level,” he opined. — DayakDaily
