Schools nationwide are now closed for the rest of the year, following the re-implementation of the CMCO in most states. These long-term school closures will exact a high cost in students’ learning outcomes and their wellbeing. Are the trade-offs of this Covid-19 management policy too high a price to pay for Malaysia’s 1.7 million students? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Harry Tan, Secretary-General, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP).