Zahid says limited resources have been the subject of frequent complaints from both teachers and parents since the first lockdown.

“Many parents cannot afford gadgets and internet services for their children,” he said. “And teachers are grappling with the learning curve of digital teaching themselves.

“Dual-earning families can barely find the time to help their children with learning as it is.”

He said the government should have long considered these circumstances before it announced the closure of schools nationwide during the first MCO.

Zahid suggested that the government look at televising learning as an alternative to online learning.

“Last April, the government launched a televised education programme. It was a great initiative. Unfortunately, it was only aired at certain times of the day,” he said.

He believed it would be wise for the government to make the best of public broadcast in this second lockdown.

“We must admit to ourselves that education is far more important than entertainment,” he said.

He also said that private broadcasters should do their due diligence in this effort as well as part of their corporate social responsibility.

“Programmes can be slotted based on subject matter as well as education level,” he said. “Students will follow the programme schedule as seen fit by the education ministry.”

Zahid also said the government should avoid overwhelming teachers with micromanagement.

“Endless reports and documentations only amount to additional stress for our teachers, stress that eventually bleeds over to our students as well as their parents,” he said.