The Education Ministry has been urged to think about starting school at 8 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m.
Dr Anuar Ahmad, a senior lecturer from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Education Diversity Study Center, suggested celebrating the Malaysia Madani concept with the motto ‘Happy Students, Happy Teachers, One School, and a Prosperous Nation’.
He stated that the government should sympathise and empathise with teachers, parents, and children who were forced to wake up before 4.30 a.m.
“Those who commute to school in the city would endure traffic jams that began at 6 a.m.
“Meanwhile, some children in rural areas even have to travel by rickshaw, muddy roads, or boat while it is still dark,” he wrote on Facebook.
He said the move would also ensure the children could have breakfast with their families rather than rushing to school.
“Why not do the right thing and start the school session at 8am if the government is concerned about the safety, well-being, and health of its people?”
Parents and guardians divided
The suggestion has stirred heated discussion among Malaysians, especially parents and guardians.
Some people disagree with the suggestion, citing reasons why they prefer 7:30 a.m. over 8 a.m.
Those who were opposed to the concept did so primarily because of the major traffic jam that happened after 7:30 a.m.
“7:30 a.m. is fine. Sending children to school around 7:30 a.m. allows parents to head to their office around 8 a.m.”
“The school schedule has been in place for several years and there is no need to change it. The syllabus and education system both require changes.”
However, some think 8 a.m. is a better time for the well-being of teachers and students.
According to one, her private primary school begins at 8 a.m., and teachers must arrive by 7:45 a.m.
