Kota setar: Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR), which began today for students in the districts of Kota Setar and Pendang due to the hot weather, has been running smoothly. Checks found that most parents are assisting their children with PdPR from home using various platforms such as Google Meet, Google Classroom and the WhatsApp application to ensure that lessons continue uninterrupted despite not attending school.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, housewife Shahira Azizan, 32, expressed her concerns regarding the effectiveness of PdPR, fearing that teachers' delivery might not be fully conveyed to students. However, she accepted the arrangement for the safety and health of her nieces, stating, "I look after two nieces, Khayla Zahra Mohd Zahir, 11, and Khayla Zulfa Mohd Zahir, 9. Personally, I would prefer them to go to school as learning is more effective, but I understand the weather is extremely hot, so I do not want to take any risks."
Shahira also highlighted challenges faced by families with multiple children but limited devices for PdPR. "I also have friends who said they face constraints, for example when a family has three children attending PdPR but only one device. So there will be some challenges, but it still needs to be done," she added.
Khayla Zahra, a Year Five pupil of Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent, shared her improved readiness for PdPR, recalling her initial awkwardness during the COVID-19 outbreak. "The first time I had PdPR, I felt a bit awkward because I had never studied using a phone and the teacher was not in front of me like in school, but over time I understood and became more comfortable," she said.
Noraini Jusoh, another housewife, supported the decision to implement PdPR due to the recent hot weather, particularly at midday, which poses a risk of heatstroke. She remarked, "If children are at school, they may be exposed to the heat while walking around the school compound or taking part in outdoor activities. At least with PdPR, they can study more comfortably at home."
The Kedah State Education Department announced yesterday that a three-day PdPR had been implemented for schools in Kota Setar and Pendang after both districts recorded Level 2 temperatures of 37°C to 40°C for three consecutive days.