Phased Resumption Of Classes From Late September

The Education Bureau on Monday announced the phased resumption of classes in schools, from September 23.

Education Secretary Kevin Yeung said the gradual resumption of face-to-face instruction became possible as the Covid-19 outbreak eases.

Under stage one of the plan, students in Form 1, Form 5, Form 6, Primary 1, Primary 5 and Primary 6, as well as senior kindergarten pupils, will return to school from Wednesday, September 23.

Yeung said consideration was given to schoolchildren preparing for public exams, as well as those adjusting to a new environment, which was why those students are included in the first stage.

The education chief defended the decision to include senior kindergarteners into this batch.

"I think even our kindergarten students have to learn how to protect themselves against the virus. Back to the school, the first thing... of course we believe that the kindergartens will also help them to develop their ability to look after themselves in terms of, for example, some basic measures such as wearing a mask, how to properly wear a mask and washing hands," Yeung said.

In the second stage, students from Form 2 to 4, from Primary 2 to 4 and other kindergarteners would make their return to classes from Tuesday, September 29.

Schools will only run half-day to prevent children from gathering for lunch, to deter cross-infection. All staff and students will be required to wear masks and adopt social-distancing measures, and they will have their temperature taken.

And schools are not encouraged to hold other activities when classes are over for the day. But should they need to do so, they'll have to come up with lunch plans for students and notify the Education Bureau.

Yeung also said to prepare for the resumption of classes, schools can allow some children to return to the campus for classes from September 16. The number will be capped at one-sixth of the student population.

He also said international and special-needs schools will follow a similar timetable, but can make their own adjustments.

On cross-border students, the Education Bureau said it was still discussing arrangements with mainland authorities, and an announcement will be made in due course. For the time being, these schoolchildren will continue online learning.

And on what schools should do if outbreaks occur, Yeung said there are no strict guidelines and it would depend on the actual situation.

On concerns that some of the schools will be used in the government's universal Covid-19 testing scheme which begins on Tuesday, Yeung said there'll be thorough cleansing of campuses before the resumption of classes.

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