Full HBL for primary, special education schools from Sept 27 to Oct 6

Full HBL for primary, special education schools from Sept 27 to Oct 6
Brothers Kaleb and Oliver Ng doing their home-based learning assignments in their home in Toa Payoh, on May 19, 2021.
PHOTO: The Straits Times file

SINGAPORE - All primary schools will start full home-based learning from Sept 27 until the end of the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) sitting on Oct 6 amid a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases.

In a statement on Saturday (Sept 18), the Ministry of Education (MOE) said that the measures will also apply to Special Education (SPED) schools offering the National Curriculum.

"This will better protect our younger students who are not yet medically eligible for vaccination," said the MOE.

 

"This is to minimise the risk of school-based transmissions and reduce the number of students placed on Quarantine Order or Leave of Absence prior to the examination," said the ministry on Saturday (Sept 18).

This year, PSLE sitting starts on Sept 30 and ends on Oct 6. 

A similar arrangement was made last year in the lead up to the start of written papers for the PSLE.

 

Schools will remain open for students who require additional support during the period of HBL. Parents who are unable to work from home or secure alternative care arrangements can approach their children's schools for assistance.

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MOE kindergartens, kindergartens care services and student care centres will operate normally.

Students are encouraged to do an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) swab test at home on these dates to allow time to take a confirmatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) swab test if necessary.

PCR is necessary if pupils test positive for ART swab or when they get two consecutive invalid ART results.

• Primary 6: Either on 27 or 28 September

• Primary 1 - 5: Either on 4 or 5 October

MOE urged all students and staff to continue practising good personal hygiene, adhere to safe management measures and exercise social responsibility.

MOE said it will implement additional measures to keep schools safe, where necessary.

ALSO READ: What you need to do if you test positive for Covid-19 using self-test kit and have no symptoms

This article was first published in The Straits TimesPermission required for reproduction.

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