The group said these gadgets will be investments for the future as online learning and teaching will be a way of life in the future.

Its president, Mohamad Ali Hasan, said many parents were disappointed over the purchases after hearing that the government has decided to reopen schools in March in stages.

“They are saying buying smartphones and laptops was a waste of money now that schools are reopening. It is possible that we may revert back to online teaching and learning if the number of Covid-19 cases goes up again.

“I believe that the decision to reopen was made after the education ministry realised that the best way to learn is through face-to-face lessons,” Ali said.

He also applauded the ministry for reopening schools in stages, in making sure schools would not be “too crowded too soon”.

Yesterday, education minister Radzi Jidin announced that preschools and primary schools would reopen from March 1, while secondary schools would commence from April 4 and 5, depending on the state.

He said Year 1 and 2 students will be going back to school on March 1, while those in Year 3 to 6 will be back in school on March 8.

Meanwhile, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Harry Tan said teachers are happy to go back to school.

He added that the union conducted a survey last year and found that over 90% of teachers preferred to teach face-to-face because students can understand better.

“We cannot avoid Covid-19 and we need to manage the pandemic according to science and the rules set out,” Tan said.

On the introduction of DidikTV, he said the NUTP does not see it as a waste.

“It can be used as an additional teaching tool for the children while they are at home, and without their teachers,” Tan added.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST DATA ON THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN MALAYSIA