By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Jan 16: If the situation allows, it would be better for the opening of schools in Sarawak on Jan 20 to be slightly delayed.
This is the view of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng as he urged the Sarawak government especially the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to come up with an ideal proposal to the federal government before the opening day.
After the Ministry of Education (MoE) announced the commencement of classes while observing different methods of studies in different states with different types of Movement Control Order (MCO), Wee noted that he had been receiving many inquiries from worried parents.
Regarding this, he himself viewed that it would be rather difficult to control the Covid-19 situation, especially among primary students if all schools are to be opened at the same time next week.
“When schools reopen, there are also teachers and other staff in the schools. There are also parents who have to bring their children to schools.
“So, I hope that the Sarawak government could find the best and most suitable plan for the safety and health of all Sarawakians,” he opined during his weekly Facebook live today.
Adding on, Wee said factors such as the Covid-19 cases surge and flash floods in Sarawak lately have to be taken into consideration when contemplating whether classes should start on Jan 20.
“Of course, we need to understand that the power still lies in the federal government under the Education Ministry to make the final decision, but I don’t wish for Sarawak to blindly follow the instructions,” he emphasised.
And if schools must be opened in due time, he asserted that strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) must be observed especially those who need to sit for public exams.—DayakDaily
