LANGKAWI: Parents on the resort island here are glad that their children will return to school today after months away due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Hotel worker Rosmizi Mutat, 43, is relieved that his daughter Nur Damia Qistina, eight, will be able to attend face-to-face lessons.

       “It’s time for her to catch up with the syllabus in a conducive environment,” he said when met at his house in Kampung Keda Wang Tok Rendong.

       Rosmizi has three other daughters, two of them aged 13 and 14, who will also go back to school at the end of the month.

       Nur Damia Qistina is excited to go to school after attending online lessons for some time.

       “I can’t wait to go to school to meet my friends and teachers,” she said.

       Another parent, Nor Izatun Ibrahim, 33, lauded the government’s decision to allow physical lessons in light of a downward trend in Covid-19 cases.

       “I believe the standard operating procedure will be in place at schools, although I am still worried that my children could contract the virus there.

       “It is a relief that the school is open as my children prefer to learn in school rather than online.

       “I keep telling my children to always be vigilant,” said the tailor with three children aged between seven and 11.

       Businessman Mohd Hasbi Hareh, 34, is also glad that schools are reopening in stages on the resort island.

       “My boy who is in Year Two has been asking when he can return to school,” he said.

       Mohd Hasbi said his son could learn more at school than online.

       Schools in Langkawi reopen today with Year One to Year Three pupils alternating between physical lessons and online learning.