KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 22 -- Education Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin's announcement last Friday that schools will reopen from March 1 caught some parents, especially in areas still under a movement control order (MCO), off guard.

Social media blew up with angry comments over the announcement, especially since parents had rushed to secure gadgets for the ministry's home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) programme just weeks prior.

Malay Mailtalked to several parents who voiced their concerns over the matter.

Deaf ears

For Zulfadzli Halim, who has four children - in Standards One, Four and Forms One and Three - the sudden announcement by Mohd Radzi spelled nothing but bad news.

He expressed disappointment because it appeared not to t...