06 January 2012

Parents, teachers want study on early recess

By LING POH LEAN AND ELVINA FERNANDEZ
KUALA LUMPUR
news@nst.com.my

PARENTS and teachers yesterday welcomed the suggestion for an earlier recess for lower primary schoolchildren but said a study should be conducted first.

An early recess is a good idea as some children go to school on empty stomachs. Pic by Aizuddin Saad.

They said while schools could introduce an early recess, parents should ensure that their children were fed before they went to school.

National Parent-Teacher Association president Prof Datuk Mohd Ali Hassan said an early recess would mean that the children would have to wait longer for school to end. He feared that it would disrupt their concentration.

"Maybe schools can have an early recess for light, healthy breakfast and another break later," he said yesterday.

On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also education minister, suggested that primary schools implement an earlier recess for pupils who came to school on empty stomachs.

Ali said the schools would have to adjust their timetable for the breaks.

"This is to educate the children on the importance of having breakfast but this does not mean that parents can wash their hands off the responsibility."

National Union of the Teaching Profession president Hashim Adnan said the recess time for lower primary schoolchildren could be brought forward an hour to 8.30am.

"It can be done as most schools have two recess periods for lower and higher primary schoolchildren."

The earliest recess time is 9.30am for Year One to Year Three pupils.

Hashim said the move should only be carried out after a proper study.

"An earlier recess will require them to wait longer before school ends about 1pm to have lunch."

Parent Action Group for Education president Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said parents should be reminded to feed their children light breakfast, such as sandwiches or biscuits.

She said an earlier recess was not practical as the children would have to wait longer for lunch.

"Their attention in class will also be affected. Parents should not come up with the excuse of not having enough time to prepare breakfast."

New Straits Time 6 January,2012