Page 18 - 2020

We interviewed some Senior 2 Lee Ai Lin Sr2ScC:
As Malaysia has entered the Recovery
Movement Control Order (RMCO), additional
restrictions have been lifted. The Education
Minister announced the reopening of
schools nationwide for students taking public
examinations as well as equivalent international
examinations this year, to be on Wednesday,
24th of June 2020. Our school decided to
implement a distinct learning style: blended
learning for Senior 2 and 3 students. Blended
Learning comprises both online learning and
physical tutorials for better prevention against
the spread of the coronavirus. As scheduled,
Senior 3 students will return to school on
Mondays and Tuesdays; while Wednesdays
and Thursdays are for Senior 2 students.
On 24 June 2020 itself, Senior 2 students
were the first to resume physical learning
classes. Teachers and staff members arrived
early to make all the necessary preparations,
such as setting up the tablet thermometers. As
soon as students arrived at school, teachers
on duty guided them to register themselves
via the MySejahtera mobile application while
reminding them to maintain social distancing
for safety of one metre. Following this, body
temperature of all students was taken at the
school hall using tablet thermometers.
Our school did early preparations
and took necessary measures to prevent the
spread of the coronavirus. On the floor of the
hallways, masking (or barricade) tapes were
arranged in the shape of an arrow to remind
students to keep to the left while walking in a
single file line. Simultaneously, tapes were also
attached on the floor with a one metre distance
between each other at the clocking in machine
areas, canteen, and school hall to remind all
students to follow the rules while lining up.
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Tee Jia Xien Sr2B
Lee Ai Lin Sr2ScC
Ng Choon Hau Sr2A
Each class has also been split into two,
with varying time-tables for each class. For
students and teachers alike, there was a sense
of familiarity back in the classroom; yet also a
strange atmosphere due to the eerie emptiness
and dreariness of school compounds. Social
distancing had to be maintained in classrooms as
well, adding to that sense of strange familiarity.
New norms were introduced with
the reopening of school. Canteen stalls were
mostly closed, and lunches had to be pre-
ordered and delivered directly to classrooms.
Furthermore, the time for the second recess had
been extended to 75 minutes from the usual
40, during which students are required to make
their way to the school hall for a second body
temperature check. Despite all this, the lively
studying atmosphere never ceased, with some
teachers even employing these new norms for
the students’ amusement by introducing Kahoot
quizzes during tutorial classes.
Students and teachers alike getting temperature checks
in the hall first thing in the morning
students to give their thoughts about
returning to school.
Tan Ming Hui Sr2B
Finally, it’s time to get back to School!
This probably means we are gradually
resuming our usual school life. Getting back
to school is better than learning at home;
at least for the teachers, who are able to
solve a student’s problem more efficiently
and interact with them better compared to
using the computer. The school’s preventive
measures were carried out for the sake of
teachers, students, and all the supporting
staff; they had put a lot of effort into
reducing the risk of viral infection. For
instance, implementing body temperature
measurement twice a day allows people
with hyperthermia to be detected as soon
as possible. I really appreciate the school’s
careful thought and direct concern for the
health of all students and teachers.
Students making their way to the hall for a
second body temperature update
I am glad to meet my teachers and
classmates, however, I feel slightly nervous
and worried about the probability of the virus
spreading in school. Studying in school is
surely great, as there is no need to be concerned
about the disturbance of network speed. The
school had put great effort into the preventive
measures against the pandemic, though I am still
unaccustomed to social distancing. By the way, I
am not satisfied of not being allowed to use the
elevator. (Climbing six flights of stairs isn’t that
easy for me)
In short, some students prefer online classes via
Zoom, rather than learning at school. Despite
that, most students really missed their school
life and had been looking forward to returning
to school with friends. It allows one to be more
disciplined and more efficient in studying. Plus,
students could pay full attention to the teacher
without any distractions, like handphones.
Students lining up to collect the pre-ordered
food at the canteen
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