MOE Clarifies The Status Of In-Person Co-Curricular Activities In Primary Schools

MOE will keep track of the situation from time to time and assess when in-person CCAs can resume safely for primary school students.

The in-person co-curricular activities (CCAs) in schools resumed from August 10, in adherence with Singapore’s coronavirus safety measures.

The schools are ensuring that students wear masks and follow good hygiene habits as these measures have been successful in “minimising the risks of transmission within schools.”

According to MOE, CCAs have specifically started at secondary schools, junior colleges, Millennia Institute and the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL).

However, that is not the case in primary schools.

Co-Curricular Activities In School Yet To Resume For Primary Students

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While addressing Mr Christopher de Souza, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, on his question about resumption of co-curricular activities (CCAs) in schools, the Minister of Education stated: “In-person Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) at the secondary schools, junior colleges, Millennia Institute and the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) have progressively resumed since 10 August 2021, adhering to prevailing safe management measures.”

It was also shared that for CCAs that are unable to take place in-person due to the high-risk settings, such as wind instruments or choir, schools have “pivoted them online.” Thus, allowing students to continue learning.

As for primary schools and the students therewith, it was noted that since most of the students of this segment are ineligible for Covid-19 vaccine, “in-person CCAs in primary schools remain suspended for now as an additional precautionary measure.”

“MOE will continue to monitor the situation closely and assess when in-person CCAs can resume safely for primary school students,” the ministry shared.

The ministry is taking every precaution to ensure the safety of all children. This is also the reason that ART test kist were provided to students as the September school holidays wrapped.

Primary Schools Kids Get 3 Self Kits Overall, After September Holidays

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Education Minister Chan Chun Sing earlier announced that all primary school students will be given three antigen rapid tests (ART) kits, as they return from their September holiday break.

This is part of the four-pronged approach shared by Mr Chan to keep schools safe. This approach stresses on keeping kids at home if they were unwell. In addition to this, schools will be needed to follow ring-fencing and other safety management measures.

He further encouraged families to help students do a self-test at home this week. They will thus get familiarised with the procedure.

Mr Chan mentioned that the remaining two test kits are for “future contingencies, and they will be replenished as necessary.”

“People Should Get Vaccinated To Minimise Risk To Children”

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Since children below the age of 12 years can’t be vaccinated, Mr Chan urged everyone to encourage family and friends to get their jabs to minimise the risk to the children. He concluded his statement by saying that it will require the collective effort of the community to keep the children safe.

Vaccines for children under the age of 12 are expected to start early next year post all the trials are completed and the required approvals are met. All these measures are time-bound and necessary as the numbers of children affected with COVID-19 in Singapore have already crossed 300.

367 Children In Singapore Infected With COVID-19

Minister Janil Puthucheary told Parliament on Tuesday (September 14) that 367 cases of Covid-19 among children below the age of 12 have been recorded in Singapore. Thus, accounting for 0.6 per cent of all local infections to date. Out of the total number, 172 had the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Dr Janil further added that no infected child has developed any severe illness requiring oxygen supplementation or intensive care. Also, none of the kids have shown any symptoms of “long Covid.”

Out of the total 367 paediatric cases on the island, here’s the age group which had the maximum infections.

158 cases were found in kids between the ages of 7 and 12
76 cases belonged to the age group of 5 to 6
83 cases in the age bracket of 2 to 4 years.
50 cases were found in kids aged one-year-old or even younger.

So far, COVID-19 infection reported in children has been relatively mild and none have been severely ill. But in spite of that, we can’t afford to lower our guards down.

There is evidence that infected kids with underlying medical conditions such as congenital heart disease, obesity, or diabetes might be at increased risk of severe illness.

So, encourage your kids to wear masks, avoid going to crowded places and keep their hands clean!

Source: MOE, The Strait Times

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Written by

Sarmistha Neogy

singaporeschool kidsco curricular activities in schoolprimary school students