KUCHING: Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) is urging the Ministry of Education (MoE) to review the home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) Manual 2.0.
KGBS president, Ahmad Malie said that the PdPR Manual 2.0 has outlined the methods of conducting PdPR comprehensively for the management, teachers, students as well as parents.
However, he said that it needs to be studied and researched on more in order to be adaptable and friendly for the various locations in the country.
“The PdPR Manual 2.0 has given clear definition in all aspects and components for the roles of those involved. However, it needs to take into account its implementation at various locations in the country.
“For instance, there are still many locations in the state of Sarawak that face challenges and constraints in conducting PdPR. The lack of internet connectivity and mobile gadgets is still prevalent,” he pointed out.
There are concerns regarding the duration of PdPR as outlined in the second version of the manual, he pointed out.
In saying this, he said that teachers had expressed their concerns regarding the matter, and they feared that it would also affect the students.
“We notice that the duration of PdPR in the second version is from 7:30am until 1:00pm in comparison to the one that is up to two hours later in the current PdPR. This is posing some concerns among the teachers because there are already challenges in conducting PdPR as it is.
“The students will also be affected by this, not only from exhaustion but in their socio-emotion as well due to the long hours. We are still in the midst of the ongoing pandemic but the second version of PdPR appears to focus on learning method during the peaceful situation before the pandemic happened,” he added.
In this view, he said that KGBS is appealing to MoE to re-examine the PdPR Manual 2.0 in a more comprehensive and collective manner by taking into account the current situation.
“MoE must take into account that we are living life in the new normal. KGBS is more than willing to provide further views and inputs regarding this matter if MoE permits.
“We hope that MoE will weigh in on the suggestions KGBS has brought forth as it is for the betterment of everyone,” he said.
