Mixed feelings on whether extra two-day school break for Raya enough

KUCHING (March 6): With Ramadan now in its second week, Muslims families are gradually beginning preparations to welcome Syawal, the festive month that marks the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Concerns over the possibility of an unexpected early Hari Raya, similar to what occurred in 2022, have prompted mixed reactions among parents regarding the government’s decision to allocate two additional school holidays on March 19 and 20.

While some parents welcomed the move as a proactive measure to ease preparations should Aidilfitri fall earlier than expected, others felt the two-day break may not be sufficient, particularly for families travelling long distances to return to their hometowns.

Suriani Jalil, 41, a mother to an 11-year-old, said the additional holidays may be adequate for families who are not travelling far, but could be challenging for those returning to their hometowns.

“In my opinion, two extra days are enough for those who are not travelling back to their hometowns. For those who need to return home, at least three days would be more suitable.

“Some people need to travel long distances, and the journey could take up to seven hours just to reach their hometown,” she told The Borneo Post, adding that she usually applies for leave early and plans her journey in advance to avoid last-minute complications.

Similarly, Suzanti Wahap, 48, who has a seven-year-old child, is of the opinion that the two-day break may not be sufficient for working parents who require more time to prepare for the festive season.

“The time is quite limited for Hari Raya preparations, especially for parents who are working.

“It also makes the travel schedule quite rushed for those planning to return to their hometowns,” she said.

Another parent, Siti Nasrah Mustafa, 40, who is currently residing in Peninsular Malaysia with her 15-year-old son, echoed a similar sentiment, saying the additional holidays may not be enough for families travelling from distant locations.

“It does not really help and may even complicate matters because two days are not enough for those travelling long distances, such as from Peninsular Malaysia to Sarawak,” she said.

However, not all parents view the additional holidays negatively.

Dayangku Siti Fariza Kartina, 41, a mother of four children aged between eight and 21, described the move as a proactive step by the Ministry of Education to prepare for the possibility of an early Hari Raya announcement.

“I think the two extra holidays are a reasonable step as they at least give parents and students some time to prepare if Hari Raya arrives earlier than expected,” she said.

Regardless, Muslim families are looking forward to celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri with great anticipation, while hoping for smooth preparations as Syawal approaches.