Besides laying the foundation for their future careers, education should focus on developing children’s wholeness through character, and building on fundamental skills while nurturing their innate talents.
As the Covid-19 situation evolves, Michelle Jane, principal at Sayfol International School in Kuala Lumpur, says pupils need to be re-introduced to learning as a community and be exposed to new experiences beyond online learning.
Social development prepares them for their educational journey and the ability to face challenges head-on, while their motivation in the classroom should be observed to ensure they are always excited to learn.
This concept of “wholeness” is espoused at Sayfol, whose goal is not just to produce high-achievers but to develop their pupils’ curiosity and be open to learning.
Jane explains that Sayfol strives to provide an “overall education” in both a physical and online setting. “Our teachers help to bridge the consistency from being in a physical classroom pre-pandemic, through to an online class during and now post-lockdown, and back to physical classes.”
While students in Malaysia have begun to attend school in person, unfamiliar settings and tighter guidelines could be overwhelming. Practising mindfulness, among both teachers and pupils, helps to keep everyone focused mentally and emotionally on the present.
Scheduled learning sessions, breaks, and virtual activities ensure the young ones still have fun while they learn. And although many are still joining online classes due to reasons such as being abroad, Jane says this is no obstacle as their teachers carefully devise learning plans to fit each year group.
According to Jane, many parents were concerned the pandemic would dampen their children’s enthusiasm for co-curricular activities, but Sayfol has proven this to be untrue.
Despite having to navigate the complexities of online learning, pupils have explored their interests as freely as when they are on campus. An active and supportive community comprising teachers and parents has enabled them to explore co-curricular activities such as drama, music, baking and virtual field trips, to keep them stimulated despite being at home.
Nevertheless, Jane says, activities such as outdoor breakout sessions, sporting activities and excursions can benefit young learners at all levels.
“When they were indoors, their curiosity was a bit limited, so when our kindergarteners came back to school, we took them to play outside, run around, pick up leaves and flowers… things we had taken for granted, which they had not been able to do when they were at home,” she says.
She looks forward to the day when all pupils can explore their curiosity outdoors together to develop their sensory, motor, observational and social skills.
“Sending your child back to school is the first step to ensure he or she learns in an environment where support can be given directly by the teacher,” she says, adding that Sayfol will be vigilant and has set SOPs to ensure the safety of all their staff and students.
Find out more about Sayfol International school here. Enrolment is currently open for the Jan 2022 intake (term 2). For more information, call 016-3386106 or email [email protected].
Sayfol International School
261, Jalan Ampang,
Taman U Thant,
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Schooladvisor.my provides information on private and international schools, extra-curricular activities as well as other education-related topics in Malaysia.