LETTERS: FOR the duration of the Movement Control Order (MCO) until schools are safe to open, home-based learning initiatives have been carried out by schools and teachers.
Since then, school teachers have formed WhatsApp groups for classes. Their intention — to support the government's initiatives, to continue teaching and to keep track of the students' progress.
Daily, school notes are posted in the groups and homework is given to ensure teaching and learning progress well.
Parents are reminded not to leave the groups as teachers can only communicate with the students through their parents' phone numbers.
It is, however, heartbreaking that some parents have done just that and left the groups. Not many students are also actively participating and submitting their homework. At times, only 20 per cent of students are active participants.
Teachers have to beg for responses and some have even expressed feelings of frustration in the groups.
Adjusting to the new normal may not be easy but it is possible.
Some students may claim home-based schooling is difficult but others are enjoying it as they are exposed to various online resources such as PowerPoint, YouTube videos, quizzes and Google Form.
When students receive feedback and answers from their teachers, there is a sense of closeness. Parents also see this as positive as they get to know the teachers teaching each particular subject.
There is always a blessing in disguise.
To all the teachers out there, we have you in our prayers. Let's continue doing what we do and let's keep fighting Covid-19 together.
SAZULIANA SANIF
Head of Department of English Language and Linguistics Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times