GEORGE TOWN: Donning a pair of spanking new navy blue pinafores or trousers for the first time can be an exciting moment for those going to Year One.

       But for parents, this brings a new set of concerns with the 2022/2023 academic year starting soon.

       With the relatively high number of Covid-19 cases, business development manager Ooi Pei Fern said she would still send her son Chan Huan Zhe, seven, to school despite fears of the pandemic.

       “For the past two years, he has been mostly at home during the various phases of the lockdown.

       “Hopefully, he can adjust to school life with as little fuss as possible, make friends and take part in outdoor activities.

       “Everything has been virtual so far. We were even informed that the school might hold orientation day online,” said the mother of two.

       Ooi, 39, said she could at least heave a sigh of relief for now as her son had received the first dose of the vaccine.

       “As parents, I am sure we all are equally worried. But I won’t stop my son from going to school.

       “The pandemic has taken a toll on his learning process in kindergarten, so we do not want it to extend to his primary school life.

       “He goes to a daycare centre right now and from how the standard operating procedure is observed there, we believe schools will be equally stringent.

       “His daycare is strict and requires us to submit his Covid-19 self-test kit results every Monday. I am sure schools will have their own set of rules to keep the children safe,” she said.

       An excited Chan said he could not wait to check out his new school.

       “I have been attending Zoom classes for a long time. I’d like to run around in the school field and take part in sports.

       “I will be careful as I am scared of getting sick,” he said, adding that his younger brother and grandmother are at home and he does not want to infect them.

       Engineer K. Shanker, 41, said while he is excited at the prospect of seeing his daughter in Year One soon, the idea of her being exposed to Covid-19 is worrying.

       “She got her first vaccine dose last week and the next one is in April. So until then, I’ll have to be extra careful.

       “It is important to experience school life. I want her to have a normal childhood. It is my duty to keep her healthy and to prepare her for any eventualities,” he said.

       Shanker said he had taught his daughter to observe physical distancing and sanitise her hands whenever she touches something.

       “They are kids, so it is inevitable as they move around,” he said.

       The new school term starts on March 21.On Sunday, Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said students in Years Three, Four and Five in schools with an enrolment of over 600 pupils would attend classes on a rotational basis in the new school term.

       Those in Years One, Two and Six, as well as those with special needs in SK Pendidikan Khas, Integrated Special Education Programmes and Supplementary Food Programmes would attend physical school sessions without rotation.

       Radzi said the regulations also apply to private school students, including expatriate schools and international schools.

       For secondary schools, all students will undergo home-based teaching and learning for two weeks starting March 21 and from April 4, all secondary school students will start attending face-to-face classes.

       He also said students are allowed to wear appropriate attire if the existing uniforms are no longer suitable.

       If parents decide not to send their children to school, it would not be considered a disciplinary offence but they must inform the school for record purposes.