KUALA LUMPUR: Teachers are starting work early in planning and preparing their schools to reopen for exam bound classes.
According to SMK USJ 12 Subang Jaya senior administrative assistant Siti Rohani Awang, the school has taken the initiative to plan early to meet the Education Ministry's guidelines.
"Having prepared masks, thermometers and sanitisers, the school authorities and the Parent-Teacher Association will work together to disinfect the school before it reopens.
"Once classes resume, teachers will check the students' body temperature at the school gate before they enter the school, and ensure regular hand washing and sanitation."
During the press conference in April to announce exam cancellation and postponement, Senior Minister (Education) Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said schools nationwide will only reopen for students sitting for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)
"All safety and hygiene aspects as well as efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19 infection must be prioritised," he said, adding that the decision will be made according to the advice of the Health Ministry and National Security Council (NSC).
On May 1, NSC released standard operating procedures for all sectors including the education sector.
Siti Rohani said that each class would be divided into two, with only 15 students per classroom.
"We have also prepared a 'One-Movement plan' for students and teachers to move from one class to another. Arrow signs will be pasted to guide students to the right location.
"A new timetable will be created and teachers will take turns to ensure social distancing at the canteen. We also plan to set up a few temporary staff rooms to increase the physical distance between teachers."
Teaching and learning activities will be different for SPM candidates.
"There will no longer be group activities in class, and technology will be used more. However, teachers will still be working hard to impart knowledge. That won't change," said Siti Rohani.
Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) Muadzam Shah English teacher Mohd Asri Jusoh said the preparation for the students' return was a tall order.
"Logistically speaking, to adhere to the one-metre social distancing gap, students may need to be placed in different rooms at the hostel.
"The Education Ministry should look beyond the immediate crisis and consider the circumstances that may occur with the resumption of schools," he said.
Noting the emergence of online learning during the virus outbreak, Mohd Asri believes that the practice will continue extensively.
"It is interesting to see that we were once on the fence on the need for the students to bring smartphones and electronic devices to school, which now I believe is a must.
"Without any collaborative activities or ESL (English as Second Language) games in the classroom, English teachers should think of new and fun ways to engage students while avoiding physical proximity.
"In preparing students for SPM, we will ensure that they finish all poems and novels, complete their School-based Oral Assessment (ULBS) and practice the past years' examination questions."
Stricter rules will be enforced to curb the potential exposure to the virus, he said.
"This means staggering break times at the cafeteria, no sports activities, no school outings for the next few months and limiting contact in school hallways and hostels.
"I believe it will be an uphill battle for teachers as students adapt to the new culture. We should set a good example by adhering to the rules so that students understand that social distancing is paramount," said Mohd Asri.
SMK Bongor, Kedah, principal Zur'aiza Abdul Hamid stressed the importance of digital learning.
"In the new normal, we will rely more heavily on online activities. Teachers will have to combine both face-to-face teaching strategies and online teaching techniques in order to minimise physical contact.
"With only Form 5 students returning, the school will have the resources to break the classes into smaller groups. This way, lab activities
can be carried out efficiently. We will also carry out programmes to educate students on the new normal.
"Teachers will have to be extra vigilant in making sure that students observe social distancing," said Zur'aiza.
Decisions would be based on the ministry's official directives, said Mahiran Mohd Noor from SMK Kompleks Gong Badak, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu.
She said that the need for more teachers to teach fifth formers may arise, if the classes were downsized.
"However, teachers from lower secondary classes may struggle to deliver the lessons. As the English panel head, I may have to coach them on certain skills, which include marking the students' work. We are mentally prepared for all possibilities."
She also said to prepare SPM candidates for the exams, classes would be exam-oriented.
"This does not mean drilling all the time. Instead, we will get the most out of ULBS (School Based Oral Test) which is scheduled between April to June. I will assign my Form 5 students to work on different aspects of the novel that they learn in the Literature Component to present to the class.
"I would like to suggest a flexible timetable such as having only three subjects with longer durations daily to enable activities such as writing and presentations. This is a common practice towards the end of the year even before the pandemic," she said.