Many parents hesitate to send kids back to private kindies

Kota Kinabalu: Many parents were hesitant to allow their children to return to classes although preschool and kindergartens resumed operations Wednesday, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The attendance at two kindergartens under the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) averaged only 32 per cent. Chung Hwa Kindergarten Likas saw only 255 out of 667 students showing up and Chung Hwa Kindergarten Penampang 248 out of 652.

As for the absentees, parents opted for them to continue their school session via online lessons instead. Another kindergarten under KKCCCI, Hwa Shiong Kindergarten Putatan would only resume on July 6 due to the floods recently. Only 85 out of 375 students at Hwa Shiong would attend when it reopens next Monday as the other 281 are opting for online classes. KKCCCI President Datuk Michael Lui said parents are mainly worried that their children may have difficulty in obeying the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) imposed by the Malaysian Education Ministry (MOE).

SPONSORED CONTENT

Electrifying windows of opportunity in Sabah - The right policies, collaborations, and strategies can turn emerging opportunities into victories for all parties in Sabah.

CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor’s 2021 Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya Plan and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) have laid out a road map to an exciting future for all Sabahans, with a target of increasing Sabah’s income levels and GDP per capita from about RM 23,000 to about RM 40,000 by 2030.

“They are concerned over their kids’ health and safety. Parents worry the kids can’t follow the new norm and SOP.

“I believe parents will wait for one to two weeks before letting their children return to school,” he told a press conference after visiting Chung Hwa in Likas, Wednesday. “Before these three kindergartens opened, major disinfection works were done,” he said, adding that classrooms are disinfected before and after lessons daily. “The school will monitor the students’ body temperatures. We have installed hands-free sanitisers and a few sinks around the school for handwashing,” he said.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

Asked on school fees, Michael said the KKCCCI board would let the schools decide whether to offer discounts for parents. “More than 90 per cent of parents at Chung Hwa Kindergarten Likas have paid their fees,” he added. Michael also called on parents, organisations or the general public to donate hygiene equipment and tools to reduce the schools’ burden.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00