Parents happy with strict COVID rules at school

These are the parents of some pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan Darau where the Year Three to Year Six classes started today just like in schools elsewhere in the country.

The parents were happy with the strict adherence to the tight standard operating procedures (SOP) at the school.

One of them, housewife Elmina Jul, 24, who resides in Manggatal, said she realised her anxiety was unfounded after sending her 10-year-old son to the school today.

"I feel relieved. The SOPs are strictly complied with," she said when met at the school. She said she preferred to send her son for face-to-face classes because it was becoming a challenge for her to teach him when the lessons come online.

Another parent, Norman Abdul Nusi, 37, whose son is also in Year Four at the school, also expressed satisfaction with the strict adherence to the SOPs.

He said that at least he does not have to worry that his son may get infected by the COVID-19 virus at school.

Schools are required to record the body temperature of all teachers and pupils, have them wear face masks and require them to observe physical distancing, among others.

Today, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali made a visit to the school and said he was happy with the adherence to the SOPs and expressed the hope that everyone would comply with the rules, including the parents who came to drop off and pick up their children.

He urged for all teachers in the state to be vaccinated early against COVID-19, saying they are frontliners.

Sabah Education director Datuk Dr Mistirine Radin, in a statement, said 191,972 pupils in Year Three to Year Six in the state began attending school today to resume face-to-face classes.