'Consider Partial Class Resumption For All Students'

The chairman of the Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools, Teddy Tang, on Sunday suggested the government to consider a phased approach for all students to return to schools gradually when the coronavirus situation eases – rather than having only secondary school students resume classes first.

Tang told reporters after a radio programme that educators are worried about the negative impact the prolonged school closures are having on all students.

He said while schools should only reopen when the health situation allows for it, the government should be debating various options.

Tang said during the 2003 Sars epidemic, the practice was for secondary schools to resume classes first, before younger children go back.

However, he said the mode of learning is now very different – with online learning much more a part of the curriculum.

As such, he suggested that the authorities could consider a different approach – to have children of all ages go back to school for some classes over shorter periods – while maintaining some online classes.

He urged government to soon hold meetings with stakeholders to form a consensus before deciding on the way forward.

Tang also said schools are already adequately prepared for the resumption of classes, but the matter is out of their hands.

As for the scheduled start of key university entrance tests this Friday, he said he believes it will be relatively safe for the 52,000 students to go ahead with the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams because they should have a very high awareness of how best to protect themselves.