• Today: September 9, 2026

Students return to classrooms after four days of home learning

After four days of Home-Based Learning (HBL) due to the haze situation in the country, students at all government and private primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and sixth form centres under the purview of the Ministry of Education (MoE), as well as religious schools, Arabic schools and the Institut Tahfiz under the purview of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), have resumed face-to-face learning on Tuesday, adhering to established guidelines that prioritise the well-being and safety of students.

Local media had the opportunity to visit several schools to observe first-hand the implementation of face-to-face learning, where school authorities, teachers and students have adhered to the SOPs and conditions outlined in the established guidelines.

During a visit to the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the teaching and learning sessions were observed to be conducted in an orderly manner and in full compliance with the stipulated guidelines.

As part of the implementation of the established guidelines, the institute has limited all sports activities, assemblies and outdoor co-curricular activities, with such activities moved indoors where possible. The institute also continuously monitors the Air Pollution Index and adheres to the SOPs set by the relevant authorities.

Students and institute personnel are encouraged to wear face masks when outdoors, while classroom windows and doors are kept closed when air-conditioning is in use. The guidelines were explained by Deputy Principal of Secondary Studies at Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Haji Mohd Sujairi bin Haji Dollah in an interview where he shared several measures taken to address the haze situation and ensure that teaching and learning can be conducted effectively on Wednesday.

Photos show secondary school teachers handing out face masks to students. PHOTOS: SIM YH

He explained that teachers have adapted their teaching methods by preparing flexible and appropriate learning materials, including written and digital assignments where necessary.

Commenting on preparations should HBL be implemented again, Haji Mohd Sujairi said the institute would optimise the use of online platforms such as Microsoft Teams. Students would also be advised to complete the assigned work and follow a balanced schedule between online learning sessions and independent study while at home.

Teachers would prepare appropriate printed materials for students, while parents would be advised to collect the materials from the institute when necessary. Students’ attendance would also be monitored digitally, while regular feedback would be provided on their assignments.

On advising parents and students during the haze situation, Haji Mohd Sujairi stressed that the health and safety of students remain the top priority. Students were therefore encouraged to drink sufficient water, while parents were advised to ensure their children remain adequately hydrated.

Meanwhile, a visit to Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Secondary School found a similar level of adherence to the established SOPs and guidelines.

In an interview, Year 8 student Azza Nurbazilah binti Azami shared her experience with HBL, describing it as a learning approach that came with its own set of challenges.

She said, “There were times when I had to balance my secondary school work with religious school work, which was also conducted online, which was a challenge.”

Commenting on the resumption of face-to-face learning, Azza Nurbazilah expressed her gratitude at being able to return to school, saying that face-to-face learning allowed her to better balance her studies across different subjects through a more structured schedule.

She also expressed her excitement at seeing her friends and classmates again in school.

Mohd Irfan Darwish ar-Rayyan bin Mohd Shukri and Azza Nurbazilah binti Azami. PHOTO: SIM Y H

Another Year 8 student Mohd Irfan Darwish ar-Rayyan bin Mohd Shukri said, “Overall, I felt that HBL is also good, and I hope that future learning sessions will be more structured and improved. I also appreciate that I can learn from the comfort of my home.”

On returning to face-to-face learning, he said, “Face-to-face lessons offered several advantages, particularly as teachers were able to give more focused attention to individual subjects according to the established timetable, which would be the best for my education.”

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/JAMES KON

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