PETALING JAYA: While students and parents are anxious about the reopening of schools and higher learning institutions next month, educators have called for proper implementation of rules to ensure the safety of all parties.

       Tertiary students have also suggested that they be given an option to go back to campus or stay back home in areas with high Covid-19 cases.

       Parent Haris Hazim, 40, said he was glad that schools were finally reopening in October, adding that his Fifth Former son had been studying virtually for over a year.

       “Of course there are pros and cons studying online, in that progress is a bit slow. It is a struggle to stay focused,” the engineer from Terengganu said yesterday.

       Petty Diyana Rahim, 36, said she had mixed feelings about allowing her children to go back to school.

       “I am excited because it has been so long since my children experienced classroom learning but, at the same time, I am also worried due to the high number of cases in the Klang Valley.

       “If all teachers and school staff members are fully vaccinated, I think it will raise the confidence of parents to send their children back to school,” said the housewife who lives in Selangor.

       Student Muhammad Huzaifi Ismut, 22, from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), said he appreciated the move by the Higher Education Ministry to reintroduce physical classes.

       On whether students should be given the option to choose online or physical classes, Muhammad said it all depended on the respective universities introducing suitable guidelines based on the priorities.

       “For example, certain programmes will need the use of labs. But I really hope that students will return to physical classes.

       “The relevant authorities must make clear all the SOP provided by the Higher Education Ministry and the National Security Council for us,” he said, adding that he felt that only those who had been fully vaccinated be allowed to return to campus.

       Izzati Mohd Khair, 21, who is studying Science (Biohealth) in Universiti Malaya, concurred, saying that she preferred to go back to campus.

       “There is not much motivation if we only do online learning,” she said.

       Senior lecturer Azrena Abdul Karim, who is with the eco-Technology Programme under UiTM Shah Alam, said personally she did not think it was a good idea to reopen campuses soon as students from all over would have to gather.

       She suggested that the authorities come up with a comprehensive plan of action.