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SINGAPORE – Precautions will be taken to keep students safe as they are allowed to return to school, including institutes of higher education (IHL), as of May 19, but attendance is not compulsory.
In a Facebook post on Sunday (May 3), Education Minister Ong Ye Kung also explained that schools will invite students from the graduate groups to return for training and consultations with teachers.
“These are not formal classes,” added Ong.
Instead, the goal is to provide the support schools generally provide to such cohorts of graduating students each year during the mid-year break.
Mr. Ong said: “The students find it useful, and given the current situation, we know that many students are eager for the national end-of-year exams and would like to see their teachers.”
“It also allows students who need to use school facilities and equipment for course assignments and hands-on components to catch up on their work.”
The Ministry of Education (MOE) also clarified on its website that these lessons are not to learn new content, which will be done in Term 3.
Safe distancing will be practiced when students return during recess, and schools will include students to return on different days and times during the day and week, MOE said.
Students will also remain in class groups, without intermingling, and will use well-ventilated places with fixed exam-style seating and appropriate spacing.
All students and staff will be required to wear masks, and daily temperature taking and cleaning routines will also continue.
In response to calls to cancel the national exams, Mr. Ong said that these exams are “essential educational activities.”
“Preparing for and taking national exams … is considered very important to many parents and students as it affects future educational publications.”
He also addressed concerns that teachers may not get enough rest during the month-long school break that lasted until May 5 and will end on June 2.
Mr. Ong noted that not all teachers are involved, as only a fraction of the students will be invited to return to school.
And teachers will still have two weeks of protected free time in May.
“There is no doubt that the teachers have been working very hard this year due to the Covid-19 situation,” he said.
Comments follow Saturday’s announcement of the Covid-19 multi-ministry task force to allow students to return to schools in small groups for face-to-face lessons as circuit breaker measures slowly ease.
In addition to training, IHL will also allow students to return to campus for critical consultations, projects, or practices.
National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the task force, stressed that it does not mean that the entire school system is opening up.
This will be done gradually starting in May.
Depending on the situation starting in June, the task force will review how much more schools can open and how many more students can return.
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