By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, June 27: Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) is all in for the improvement of home-based learning (PdPR) but is against suspending students for being absent from class three days in a row.
Its president Adam Prakash Abdullah revealed this stand when referring to the recent suggestion by former Minister of Education, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, who proposed suspension for students absent from class for three consecutive days.
He said the union understands the challenges faced by teachers while working from home but they still have to make sure that the PdPR is conducted accordingly despite the odds.
“STU is not in favour of punishing students absent from class three days in a row by putting them on suspension. It has been so difficult getting them connected with their teachers and punishing them is like adding salt to the wound.
“We believe Datuk Mahdzir understands the difficulties the school children have to go through to follow their lessons. Teachers and parents are doing their best to support the PdPR at this time and any elements of punishment is not favourable,” he said in a statement today.
Adam also said the STU would like to see more positive support from the public and hope that teachers and students are put in the limelight not for the wrong reasons.
“If we can’t do anything to assist, let the teachers do their work accordingly. The students need a lot of support to enable them to participate effectively in PdPR and I know the teachers have been very committed in their job,” he added. — DayakDaily
