NUTP supports call to create special education TV channel

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) welcomes and supports the suggestion to create a special education television channel which is accessible to pupils from all income levels.

Its president, Aminuddin Awang, said it would be the best method to expand and enhance the process of teaching and learning at home (PdPR) and could give a positive impact on students' academic performance.

"With a specific channel, students' focus will be in one direction and its quality aspect can also be monitored," he told Bernama TV, when contacted, today.

However, Aminuddin said the education channel could not be the only method used in PdPR as it involved one-way communication process, thus it must be combined with virtual teaching and learning sessions.

Previously, the Education Ministry said face-to-face school session which was scheduled for Jan 20 had to be postponed following the current COVID-19 situation in the country, except for candidates of 2020 major examinations and equivalent international examinations.

The decision prompted various reactions from parents, as they had to provide electronic devices and internet access for their children to participate in PdPR process, and said that an education television channel could help solve the issue.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Peninsula Malay Students (GPMS) opined that the government should seriously consider several proposals such as empowering TV Pendidikan and providing electronic devices and financial assistance to families and students from the B40 group.

Its president, Mohd Alif Anas Md Noor, in a statement today, said a part of the allocation given to the Education Ministry but was not utilised due to the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) should be restructured so as to provide electronic devices to eligible pupils.

"For example, the allocation for the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) and Hostel Food Assistance (BMA).

"If the funding is used for procurement of electronic devices, then almost all pupils from low-income families would enjoy the benefit," he said.

-- BERNAMA