All primary, secondary, junior college (JC), Millennia Institute (MI) and Special Education (SPED) students are to shift to full home-based learning (HBL) amid the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore.
According to the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) latest press release, this will begin from Wednesday (19 May) until the end of the term on 28 May.
HBL In Singapore To Be Implemented In All Schools Except Preschools & Care Centres
Image source: Facebook / Ministry of Education, Singapore
With the rise in community cases, there has been a need to reduce the risk of transmission in large clusters. MOE’s decision of transition to full HBL in all Singapore schools was a precautionary measure to safeguard the well-being of all students and staff.
This was finalised especially after the reports of several positive cases in primary schools in recent days.
Here’s what parents must know:
- During the HBL phase in Singapore, schools will ensure that learning continues uninterrupted for their students.
- Students will be given instructions and support with access to both online and hardcopy HBL materials.
- The Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS) will still be accessible to students during this phase.
- Students who may need digital devices or internet access will also be assisted by their respective schools.
- Parents are encouraged to keep their children at home during this time as work-from-home will be the default mode at workplaces.
- Preschools and student care centres will remain open to support those who need to work.
- During the June holidays, graduating cohorts will be allowed to come back in small groups where necessary.
- The mid-year GCE O- and A-Level Mother Tongue Language examinations will also proceed as planned.
All these measures are part of the strict Safe Management Measures that have in put in place to bring the situation under control, says MOE in their statement.
IHLs, Tuition & Enrichment Centres To Also Shift Online
Institutes of Higher Learning will also be reducing attendance on campus. More of their classes will be converted to online learning where possible.
This is with the exception of essential in-person sessions including labs, practicals and final year projects. These will still be conducted in person with safety measures in place that will hold until the end of Phase 2 Heightened Alert or further notice.
All centre-based tuition and enrichment classes are to shift activities online or will have to suspend them. MOE says, “This is necessary to reduce the intermingling of students from different schools and enhance the safety of our students.”
These safety measures will also be until the end of Phase 2 Heightened Alert.
Continuous Support For Students & Their Parents During HBL Phase In Singapore
Image source: Facebook / Ministry of Education, Singapore
During the period of HBL in Singapore schools, MOE assures that students can rely on their teachers for support as well as other school personnel who will continue to work from either home or school.
Through this period, school staff will continue to be in regular contact with students and their parents.
Students from SPED schools will also be provided with HBL support. In fact, SPED teachers will maintain regular contact with their parents.
At a media conference on Sunday (16 May), Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing said they know this sudden shift will “cause anxiety in some parents.”
But, as per CNA, he adds that “MOE (Ministry of Education) will continue to extend our help and our fullest support to the schools, the teachers and the parents who require additional help to make these adjustments.”
While there has been no conclusive evidence of school-based transmission, Mr Chan says “we must never be complacent.”
“Going forward we will need a range of options in order to thrive in a COVID world, for us to continue learning and living in a COVID world,” adds Mr Chan during the conference.
Lead image source from Facebook / Ministry of Education, Singapore.
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