KUCHING, June 9: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing urges the Education Ministry (MoE) to readjust the number of school breaks and the length of holidays to cater for students in rural areas.
He noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the education of these children, and that the lost time must be replaced so rural students can catch up with lessons as there is no Internet connection in rural areas.
“Covid-19 pandemic is not normal times, hence MoE must also readjust their holiday schedule.
“That’s why I am disappointed to know that MoE still acts as if we are having normal times.
“Thus, when scheduled holidays are on the MoE calendar, they follow through.
“Unless, MoE learns to adjust to the new norm of thinking because of Covid-19, the education of our children will be stunted for years to come,” he said in a statement today.
Masing, who is also the Baleh assemblyman, asserted that MoE should not carry on like for past academic calendar years by having three semester breaks per year including public holidays.
He opined that 2020 was a complete waste of school time for rural students and hoped that MoE will readjust the academic calendar so that school lessons for 2021 will see a repeat of 2020. — DayakDaily
