KUALA LUMPUR: Schools nationwide yesterday welcomed back Form 5 and Form 6 students as well as teachers to classrooms after months of inactivity following measures taken to stem the transmission of Covid-19.
Many students were clearly excited at returning to conventional classroom learning after months of online lessons.
Muhammad Afzal Ali, a Form 5 student from SMK Sungai Pusu in Gombak, said it felt strange to return to school with new norms to adapt to.
"Don't get me wrong, my classmates and I are mostly very excited to be able to return to school.
"However, it is a bit surreal; with the new environment, it's like the first day of school all over again," said the 17-year-old.
He said adapting to online learning during the Movement Control Order (MCO) and subsequent periods was challenging as there was little to no interaction with teachers.
"And now we're back to the conventional way of learning, which is welcome but different due to all the new rules and regulations which we know are in place for our own good," said Afzal.
Before entering the school, Afzal and his friends had their temperature recorded and entered the classroom in batches to enforce social distancing.
There was no school assembly as they were ushered straight to their respective classrooms. The first period began with them filling in a questionnaire as well as placing their food orders for recess with their class teacher.
His class, which previously had close to 40 students, has been split by half to ensure social distancing.
"Recess is also now split into three sessions. We also have to place our orders with our teacher in the first period. We're not allowed to go to the canteen so we eat in the classroom.
"The only time we're allowed to leave the classroom is when we go to the toilet," he said.
Afzal said it was difficult not being able to go anywhere from 7.30am to 12.50pm.
"We became restless after the first two to three hours but we persevered. Like it or not, we will just have to get used to it," he said.
Trinity Bungan Tajang, 18, an Upper Six student from SMK St Thomas in Kuching, was also delighted to return to school as she too found it tough being stuck at home and dealing with only online classes.
"I am so happy to be able to return to school today after months of learning at home.
"I found the whole home-learning process less mentally stimulating. I prefer active learning in conventional classrooms as we can engage and have face-to-face discussions with teachers and other students. I think it's something that most of us prefer, "she said.
Another Upper Six student, Dzaffry Aiman, 18, from English College (Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar) in Johor Baru, shared Trinity's sentiments, pointing out that they had a lot of catching up to do where studies are concerned.
"Most of us are very happy to return to school, as we have important exams coming up over the next few months so there's a lot at stake.
"We'll eventually get used to all the new guidelines and rules which are not an issue at all, as we understand that it has to be implemented in order to maintain health and safety for not just us but the teachers as well," he added.
