KUCHING, Sept 29: The extension of the 2021 academic year is, in part, covering for the loss of over 100 school days in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is the view of Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing when he lauded the Ministry of Education (MoE)’s plan and said it was “a good move and a bold decision”.
He also echoed the statement by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Faculty of Education senior lecturer Dr Bity Salwana Alias who described the school year extension as a wake-up call for teachers and students who have grown too comfortable studying and teaching from home.
“The year 2020 was a lost cause which damaged our education system and deprived our rural students of quality education.
“Therefore, when opportunities allow, classroom learning must take place,” said Masing in a statement today.
Masing, who is also Minister of Local Infrastructure and Port Development, was responding to a news report that collected the positive opinions of academics on the school year extension which had raised questions from parents.
Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, had on Sept 13, announced for the 2021 academic year to be extended to January and February 2022, meaning that the 2022/2023 academic year will only begin in March, 2022.
He said the additional two months’ time will allow students to catch up and ensure they are ready to move on to the next level of their education following almost two years of home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) sessions due to Covid-19. — DayakDaily
