LETTERS: IT'S welcome news that children can soon go back to school after a three-month break forced by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Students in Forms Five and Six will return to school on June 24. They will return in stages and will have to follow strict standard operating procedures (SOP) drawn up by ministries.
There is little doubt that their return will be well-managed, considering the maturity of students and the capabilities of teachers and principals, and under the watchful eye of the Education Department and Education Ministry.
But of concern is the return of pre-schoolers and pupils. Parents and teachers have expressed concern about the difficulty in ensuring that toddlers and little children maintain a safe distance from one another.
This may not be a big issue in classrooms where desks and playmats are placed some distances apart, but it becomes a challenge when the children are in canteens and toilets, and while waiting for their transport to go home.
The other concern is whether teachers and carers are trained to enforce the new norms and follow the SOP. This might cause more stress in teachers.
It is reassuring that the authorities are aware of this possibility and are providing counselling to teachers and students.
It would help if the Education Ministry sets up a counselling centre to cater for teachers and principals.
The ministry might even set up a hotline to answer queries and offer information and advice, especially on matters not yet covered by the SOP.
The Education director-general could address schools by providing information with statistics, advice and encouragement.
She could give credit to exemplary schools, laud innovative SOP drawn up by schools, and highlight the work of exemplary teachers and students.
For secondary school students, the Curriculum Development Unit could introduce a lesson on infectious diseases, how to avoid them and how to stay healthy.
Then there is the matter of additional costs that schools have to bear to provide hand sanitiser, face masks and Personal Protective Equipment. Perhaps parent-teacher associations can offer a helping hand.
There is also the question of ensuring the long-term mental health of children and adolescents.
How prepared are they to meet the new challenges posed by technology, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence?
These new challenges will leave lasting scars on children if they are not given care and guidance by parents and teachers.
For this reason, parents and teachers must first equip themselves with knowledge and skills to monitor children's stress levels and help them cope at school and at home.
It is important to create an environment for children to nurture good and supportive peer groups.
And children must be shielded from the effects of an overdose of IT and mobile devices at a tender age so that they don't become misfits later in life.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
CHAIRMAN, ALLIANCE FOR SAFE COMMUNITY
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times