The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) and the National Union of Heads of Schools (NUHS) say that students will require at least a year to adjust, China Press reported.

Pupils have been returning to classes in schools in stages since last year.

NUTP secretary-general Wang Heng Suan said that many pupils who returned to school in March could not keep up with their studies, especially those who lacked facilities for online learning.

Last year, a survey by the United Nations found that about 78% of students from low-income households in Kuala Lumpur lost interest in studying following Covid-19 lockdowns.

“Pupils will still need some time to adjust, and it is believed that when the new school term starts next year the situation will get better,” he was quoted as saying.

NUHS president Lim Bee Khim said teachers now had to deal with a lack of enthusiasm about being back in school, especially among Year 4 and 5 pupils because of lack of self-discipline.

“Some children become very quiet and will not interact with their classmates, and they would be less inclined to speak up or ask questions,” she said.

Some schoolchildren had been found to have psychological problems, including problems with their family, economic problems or those related to the pandemic.

Lim said teachers should not be “too strict” about homework but “should be more caring in helping and guiding their pupils so that they can feel safe when coming to school”.