ALOR STAR: 281,721 students returned to school in Kedah today.
Some of those met expressed excitement over meeting their schoolmates and teachers again, although parents expressed concern about the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.
Amal Madihah Abd Razak, 12, from Sekolah Rendah Islam Darul Aman said he had even gone to bed early last night.
"We have been learning through home-based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) for a long time. Sometimes, it's hard to understand, and there is a limit on what we can ask during online classes.
"I cannot fully concentrate when I'm at home, so I had hoped that the face-to-face learning sessions will continue," he said when met today.
He also wished that Covid-19 would end soon so he could carry on with his daily life as it was before the pandemic, such as going to school and playing with friends.
Mohamad Fahim Arif Mohd Solhi, 16, from SMK Tunku Panglima Besar, said he felt slightly anxious about returning to school after the emergence of the Omicron variant.
"I prefer PdPR because it's easier, and I get to attend classes at the comfort of my own house.
"I know who's coming in and out of my house, also my family members are at home all the time, so there are less risks.
"Despite that, I will continue to attend classes physically while following the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Education Ministry such as wearing face masks and using hand sanitiser. But this time around, I'd have to really keep a distance from huge crowds in school."
Fahim Arif also said he wished that the school would place more hand sanitisers in the school compound.
"From my past experience, many students were not using hand sanitisers frequently at school. That makes me worry about my own safety," he added.
Toe Xiao Lin, 40, who is a mother of two primary pupils Thor Ming Ze, 12, and Thor Ming Qian, 11, said she preferred her kids to continue with PdPR at the moment due to Omicron.
"I am concerned about the current Covid-19 situation in the country after Omicron community cases were reported.
"As a parent, I prefer them to continue with PdPR, but, I will still send them to school despite my worries.
"I am concerned as I know that they are not fully complying with the SOP although we repeatedly remind them. Also, teachers are busy with many tasks at school. It is quite impossible for them to monitor the students all the time.
"I will continue to remind them to keep a distance from friends, wear masks and wash their hands frequently while in school," she said.
Meanwhile, Kedah Education Department director Rozaini Ahmad said 281,721 primary and secondary students returned to schools statewide for the 2021/2022 third term today (Sunday).
He said in a statement that of the number, 106,726 students were from 204 secondary schools, while 174,995 were pupils from 548 primary schools.