Rotation method at schools to restore students’ morale, says Radzi

The implementation of face-to-face classroom learning and home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) on a rotational basis is to restore the morale of students, Education Minister Radzi Jidin said today.

He said the move followed the difficult period faced by the country since 2020 which caused schools to be closed for a long time.

“We are aware that when schools reopened in March this year, parents and the community saw that the situation was safe but after school hours it was chaotic and there were problems of congestion.

“Subsequently, we sat to discuss the best approach, especially taking into account the Delta variant, and came up with the idea of reducing the number of students by half,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

He was responding to a supplementary question from Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) on the details of the implementation of the rotational face-to-face classes and PdPR session.

The education ministry had earlier said that face-to-face schooling sessions based on a weekly rotational method would be able to limit the number of students in the classroom and help reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection in schools.

Radzi said this would also help teachers monitor SOP compliance among students, as only 50% would be present at a time.

Radzi said the ministry would also provide a manual on rotational learning and teaching (PdP) as a guide for headmasters, teachers, students, parents and guardians to ensure its smooth implementation when schools open from Oct 3.

Replying to a supplementary question from Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) on ​​the admission of students, especially from rural areas to fully residential schools (SBPs), Radzi said entry would be based on the Special School Admission Assessment (PKSK) following the abolition of the Primary School Assessment Test (UPSR).

He said apart from focusing on academic aspects, PKSK also takes into account the potential and abilities of students for admission to SBPs.

Meanwhile, during the question-and-answer session, Deputy Education Minister II Mohamad Alamin said the ministry was formulating a comprehensive policy for the recruitment of students to SBPs by giving priority to those with potential among underprivileged families.