KUALA LUMPUR: The reopening of public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) must be done in phases, and online teaching and learning should continue until the Covid-19 situation improves in the country.
Academicians and health experts said the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) being drawn up by the Higher Education Ministry should be flexible and offer plans for both contingencies — for a total or partial physical reopening of campuses and an alternative scenario where teaching and learning continues to take place online.
The SOP and guidelines, they said, should ensure students and faculty members practise social distancing at all times, body temperature is taken daily, as well as public areas being cleaned and sanitised regularly to avoid the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
Educationist Professor Datuk Dr Noraini Idris of Universiti Malaya (UM) said campus reopening should be broken into stages with priority given to final-year degree students and students who require laboratory work.
"The majority of students are willing to stay at home or in the hostel to access the Internet and library facilities while continuing with e-learning and online assignments. But we have no choice when it comes to practical work. We must bring these students back.
"Most universities have good lab facilities, hence students would be able to observe social distancing rules. UM, for instance, has planned a special term in June/July (when students usually go on a break or for internship) for these students," she told the New Straits Times.
Students who were stranded on campus since the Movement Control Order (MCO) took effect were sent home in batches since April 27.
Noraini said universities and colleges should ensure students and staff members exercise precautionary measures at all times, which include staff undergoing mandatory Covid-19 testing prior to campus reopening, limiting the density of classrooms, regular cleaning and sanitising of public areas such as the library, laboratories and cafeterias, and the use of face masks at all times.
She said e-learning should be continued for other courses, which would depend on the Covid-19 situation.
"We started online courses last semester and most of the students have no problem with e-learning. Classes and discussions were conducted via platforms like Zoom, Skype and WhatsApp.
"We prefer face-to-face learning but we noticed active participation from students via e-learning as compared with when they are physically present in class.
"Students are more confident to ask questions by typing them out as opposed to merely listening in class. So, this is something new."
Noraini said while HEIs were trying not to postpone or delay a term by conducting classes online, the new intake of students might be delayed following the postponement of major public examinations — Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia.
Universiti Malaya Public Health Medicine Specialist Associate Professor Dr Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki, from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, said HEIs were encouraged to continue the practice of the "new norm" post-MCO.
This, she said, meant that HEIs should limit students on campus grounds, by bringing back only those who need hands-on practical sessions.
She said most varsities had adapted well to e-learning and this should be continued to minimise close contact with one another on campus grounds.
"Lecturers have to be creative in converting their mode of teaching, without jeopardising the quality of education. There are many platforms and methods that lecturers can use to make sure online learning is effective and fun."
Professor Dr G. Jayakumar, who is a professor of Community and Occupational Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine in Melaka Manipal Medical College, said there were 1.3 million government and private students, 65,000 academics and thousands of support staff in approximately 500 HEIs.
"They have to be allowed to return in a staggered manner once the CMCO is lifted."
Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit, a senior fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia said the education sector, as well as the entertainment and sports sectors, would probably be the last to be reopened.
"We are talking about two million students returning to schools, colleges and universities. Safety is of paramount importance where children and students are concerned.
"Once the government feels that they have the situation under control, then everything will return to the status quo under the new SOP. This will be the new normal that we have already gotten used to under the MCO."
In the meantime, he said, the ministry was preparing to extend digital education and teaching online, and also by ensuring face-to-face teaching in a safe environment once the MCO is lifted.
This would require a lot of planning and preparation because education involved levels from kindergarten to universities and there were no one-size-fits-all solutions, he added.
Malaysian Public Health Medicine Specialist Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said HEIs should delay welcoming students back to campus until the situation improved.
"This is important because it involves huge numbers of people moving across the country. Allow schools to reopen first and then for HEI students to return to campuses."