Photo via Malay Mail
It was the first day of the 2021 school year yesterday (January 20th), but it wasn’t all smiles returning to the classrooms.
There have been growing concerns from several parties about students going back to school over the past week, especially with the recent news about 18 students being tested positive for COVID-19 in Sabah.
These concerns are proving to be valid, after that number rose to 36 yesterday!
During his daily press briefing, Sabah COVID-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun revealed these cases were all discovered from the mass screening on students who were due to return to their hostels to prepare for the STPM and SPM examinations.
“These 36 students were found to be positive for Covid-19 through the screening on all returning schools which began on January 16,” he said.
Authorities first detected eight cases on January 16th, but the figure increased each day.
The affected students will, of course, now go into quarantine, but Masidi assured these students will still be able to continue their studies.
“Sabah Disaster Management Committee has prepared internet services at every quarantine and low-risk treatment centres throughout the state. Students undergoing treatment and quarantine may use the services for their online study,” he said.
Many students are voicing out their concerns about returning to school using #SuaraPelajar on Twitter, and the topic is still trending at the time of writing.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq has been at the forefront of making sure these concerns are heard, as he continues to compile more and more tweets from both students and parents.
We hope these concerns are heard as soon as possible, and that the government will make the right decision on the matter.
Stay safe, everyone!
by Kyle Roshen Jacob
