CHINESE schools’ parent-teacher groups are calling for better compliance with Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) to prevent the spread of infections, as clusters linked to education facilities are on the rise.

Between March 20 and April 4, 20 Covid-19 clusters were reported in education facilities.

From January, when schools opened, to March 25, some 41 Covid-19 clusters were found to have originated from educational institutions, including 11 secondary schools and 10 primary schools and pre-schools.

However, Jiao Zong (United Chinese School Teachers’ Association) president Cheah Lek Aee disagreed with people who wanted schools to close again.

“Schools have to resume physical classes and not just rely on online lessons.

“We cannot be sure whether students are following online classes and they have been away from school for too long,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Cheah said schools are a safe place as long as SOPs are followed.

It is also in the interest of schools to abide by the SOPs to reassure parents that their children are safe.

“Schools are doing a good job by making students eat in the classrooms and minimising contact,” he said.

“I believe most of the infections are from outside schools, when children go out with their parents or from family members who are infected.”

As long as schools act swiftly in reporting positive cases to the Education Ministry, and ensure rules are followed by students feeling unwell, the situation can be kept under control, Cheah added.

It should not be a blanket decision by the ministry to close schools, but based on the situation at a particular school, he said.

“When cases at schools are reported to the education authorities, they should immediately act and advise schools on measures to take, such as whether the school should close.

“The decision should be made swiftly and not delayed for two or three days. Otherwise, there will be speculation and parents will get worried.”

Meanwhile, Chinese education parents’ association, Jia Zong, reminded parents to ensure that their children comply with Covid-19 SOPs in and out of school.

Jia Zong president Ronnie Wong said this was the best way to keep schools open.

“(We) cannot wait until there are zero cases before resuming schools. Even the government cannot gauge when infections will totally abate.”

Wong said from his own visits to certain schools, he observed that students can forget to maintain physical distance as they are excited to see their classmates.

“You can’t blame them, as sometimes even adults tend to forget to wear a mask or keep their distance. It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent infection.”

Wong disagreed with suggestions that students return to online learning.

“Online learning has limitations including the lack of access to devices and the Internet. Physical classes, on the other hand, are important for students’ development.”

Wong also called for common sense by schools when dealing with Covid-19 cases.

Schools should not reveal the names or information on infected students to prevent stigma, discrimination and unnecessary reaction from the public and parents.

“Schools must be discreet when dealing with cases. It will harm the students if they are stigmatised.”

Currently, one of most widespread Covid-19 clusters involving schools is Paloh Ramai in Kelantan. It was among the 20 education clusters detected recently.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said recently that the cluster also involved teachers from several schools, including SK Seri Ketereh, SK Kok Lanas, SK Pangkal Kalong, and SMK Kok Lanas.

Other education sector clusters have also been recorded in Johor, Sabah, Negri Sembilan, and Sarawak.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Radzi Jidin said schools will only be closed if large numbers of teachers are infected and operations and teaching are disrupted. – April 9, 2021.