SCHOOLS should not reopen yet as it is not safe to do so until the Covid-19 outbreak is contained, Pejuang chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.
 
In a blogpost, the former prime minister suggested a review of teaching methods to accommodate students learning from home. 

The Langkawi lawmaker advocated the use of modern technology such as televisions as the primary medium to convey lessons to pupils.
 
“Schools should not reopen in the near future and we ask the new government to postpone the reopening of schools until the Covid-19 situation subsides.
 
“We suggest that teaching for all grades to be done through (the medium of) televisions. The method is simple,” said Dr Mahathir in the post, which laid out Pejuang’s nine-point plan.

One of the suggestions is to assign the best teachers for each grade to conduct their teaching through television. The lessons will be recorded so that teachers and pupils can replay them for revision purposes.

Dr Mahathir said the methods employed by the Perikatan Nasional government to contain the virus were a total failure, despite having unfettered legal and constitutional powers under the emergency declaration.
 
“In a study conducted by The Economist magazine, United Kingdom, it contained the following statement: ‘Consider our Index worst performer, Malaysia’.
 
“The study assesses the performance of all countries in the world and Malaysia is the worst; not India, not Indonesia, not the Philippines, but Malaysia.

Dr Mahathir stressed that the infection rate in Malaysia is severe, and that teachers, pupils, and parents will risk being infected if schools were to reopen now. 

“There should be a panel of teachers for every 10 schools and grades. They will answer questions by students in their area through the phone.
 
“Parents will also be required to ensure that their children follow the lessons taught on televisions,” he said, adding that one station will be allocated for each grade.
 
“There will be various problems at the beginning, but these issues can be tackled eventually, including technical and technological ones,” he added.
 
It was reported earlier today that schools in phase two states will be allowed to conduct physical lessons for pupils sitting national and international examinations this year, which include the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, Sijil Vokasional Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia, Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia and Diploma Vokasional Malaysia exams.
 
This standard operating procedure, which came into effect yesterday, applies to those who are fully vaccinated in phase two states, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak and Penang.
  
However, the date of commencement will be in accordance to the Education Ministry’s schedule.

The Health Ministry recently said that vaccination for two categories of teenagers will begin in mid-September, according to an internal circular stated dated August 12, which was signed by director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
 
The first category involves teenagers aged between 12 and 15 who have certain health conditions.
 
The second category involves teenagers aged 16 and 17, with and without health conditions. – August 21, 2021.