'I Want To Be In School Despite Daily Testing'

Many students said on Tuesday they are excited to be back in the classroom for the resumption of face-to-face learning, even though they have to take rapid Covid tests every day before school.

Primary schoolchildren are the first to return after the Easter break, and of the 120 pupils who turned up at Tsuen Wan Trade Association Primary School, some said they had to wake up at least half an hour earlier than usual to test themselves.

Most of them said they didn't find it a problem.

One primary six student, surnamed Wai, said she won't forget to test herself before leaving home because it has become part of her routine, just like taking her textbooks with her.

Others shrugged off the discomfort, saying they'll try to get used to doing rapid Covid tests every day so they can be in school.

"I wanted to sneeze after swabbing myself... it is very uncomfortable," said a primary five student, surnamed Cheung.

"I'm happy to be able to see my classmates and teachers again... I haven't been able to see them for such a long time, and it's been very boring."

But at least one student said he was not aware of the self-test requirement, and was arranged to get screened by school staff before allowed back to the classroom.

A parent, surnamed Cheung, said she agrees that pupils should have to do rapid tests before going to school, but added that she "barely" has enough test kits for now.

"I hope the government can provide rapid test kits to all students, because we don't know how much longer this pandemic will last. With students being asked to do rapid Covid tests every day, it's really hard to say when we will run out of test kits," she said.

Chow Kim-ho, principal of the primary school, said around 10 students failed to show their rapid test results with a parent's signature, and two of them did not take the tests.

He hopes students and parents will co-operate.

"We would test our students again if necessary, but generally, we trust the parents... I believe that parents would not be dishonest," Chow said.

From Tuesday, primary schools can choose to resume half-day, in-person lessons, before having all pupils back on campus on May 3 at the latest.

As for kindergartens and secondary schools, students are expected to begin returning on May 3.

By mid-May, all students should be attending half-day, face-to-face classes.