THE Malaysian Youths for Education Reform Movement (MYER) has always attempted to champion the voices of students on any issue they feel are unheard.

The recent decision to postpone physical intakes and face-to-face classes at public universities by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) has caused severe unintended consequences to varsity students all across Malaysia.

The decision of MOHE to encourage and suggest that institutions of higher learning, essentially, turn back students from their campuses has created a disruptive impact on student bodies. Reportedly, students have been inconvenienced, as they are asked to go back home when they have already paid travel fees, rental fees for off-campus properties and others.

As Covid-19 has economically impacted many families and individuals across Malaysia, MYER urges MOHE to consider the financial implication on students who are currently left stranded at the universities with no financial resources to return home.

Accountability is the first step, followed by decisive and systematic decisions and actions. While we understand MOHE’s concerns and responsibility to students amid the recent spike in Covid-19, MOHE must be liable for the unintended consequences of this last-minute announcement.

The ministry must ensure all students are safe, have a roof over their heads, food to eat and are well taken care of as.

Should the ministry move forward with digital classes in the coming intakes? We suggest the MOHE work with the relevant government and non-government bodies such as MYER to bridge the digital gap to ensure access to quality education for all students. By extension, we call upon the Ministry of Communication and Multimedia to improve internet access across Malaysia, especially for vulnerable communities in the rural areas. – October 3, 2020.

*Rifqi Faisal is managing director of the MYER Movement.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.