EDB: Post Easter Holiday School Schedule

[shri]

Will update this thread (next post) once we see an official English press release.

Via RTHK:

More students will be allowed to go back to schools and resume face-to-face classes after the Easter holiday in April, the government announced on Friday, as the number of new coronavirus infections remains low in Hong Kong.

The Covid-19 pandemic has seriously disrupted in-person classes, with many students relying heavily on online learning for months to maintain social distancing.

Currently, only one third of pupils are allowed to attend face-to-face classes at schools.

The Education Bureau said the restrictions would be relaxed, and up to two-thirds of students at all kindergartens, primary and secondary schools can resume half-day in-person classes.

A spokesman said schools should allow students of different grades to take turns to return to campus so that they can all have a chance for face-to-face lessons and interact with their peers.

He also encouraged teachers and other staff at schools to get tested for Covid regularly, saying schools will be allowed to resume fully if such requirements are met.

https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/compone...abChangeable=0

[shri]

Chinese Press Release:

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...1032600369.htm

[shri]

A spokesman for the EDB said, "The EDB has all along been progressively increasing the time for face-to-face classes in a pragmatic, gradual and orderly manner, as far as the epidemic situation allows, striving to strike a balance between meeting the learning needs of students and preventing and fighting the epidemic, with a view to allowing students to have more learning time on campus. Hence, the EDB, after taking into account the latest developments of the epidemic, the advice of health experts and the preparedness of schools, has decided that all KGs and primary and secondary schools (including special schools and schools offering non-local curriculum) as well as private schools offering non-formal curriculum (commonly known as "tutorial schools") will be allowed to arrange for more students to return to campuses on a half-day basis in accordance with school-based circumstances after the schools' Easter holidays, with the number of students capped at two-thirds of the schools' total number of students.

"We expect that schools can arrange for students of each level to take turns to return to school for face-to-face classes so that all students will have the opportunity to have on-campus schooling, receive education through face-to-face classes, and have interactive learning with other students so as to enhance their physical and psychosocial development."

As for the lesson times each day, secondary schools can arrange for students of individual levels to attend face-to-face classes either in the morning or in the afternoon for no more than a half day. Schools should not arrange for students of the same level to attend face-to-face classes for a whole day and should avoid having students eat out for lunch. Primary schools can arrange for students of individual levels to attend face-to-face classes in the morning only for no more than a half day. For KGs, those operating morning sessions/afternoon sessions can arrange for students to return to school for half-day lessons in the morning/afternoon respectively. KGs operating whole-day sessions can arrange for students to attend face-to-face classes either in the morning or in the afternoon for no more than a half day. Regarding the above arrangements for KGs as well as primary and secondary schools, the number of students returning to campus should be capped at two-thirds of the schools' total number of students for each session. The EDB will issue a letter to inform schools of the detailed arrangements next week.

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...1032600480.htm

[TheBrit]

Still only half-days? Insanity. Shame on everyone involved in this "decision-making" process.

[kittykaitak]

Still only half-days? Insanity. Shame on everyone involved in this "decision-making" process.

Half-days are a misnomer- at least in my children's school. They are getting the same lessons and following the same timetable. The lessons are about ten minutes shorter than on the full-day timetable. They have no lunch hour (this is the crunch point- eating safely on a crowded campus).Without the lunch time, they are missing less than an hour of teacher contact time compared to normal.

It's a long intense run for them though- and getting home to eat means they go from about 6.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. without eating. Probably not the best for their concentration but they are delighted to be back at school with their friends. They also like finishing earlier.

I'm not sure how effective social distancing and the rest is seeing the students pack on and off public transport! CHP/EDB turning a blind eye to obvious contradictions.

[Cegaiga]

After speaking to my primary students, even recess they need to stay in class and do nothing but watch something on TV. I can't imagine going through a full day without a proper break and food!

Don't expect the norm to happen until next school year.

[merchantms]

Still only half-days? Insanity. Shame on everyone involved in this "decision-making" process.

A lot of schools are going until 1-2 PM with snack breaks but no lunch. It’s not ideal but it’s definitely more than a half day.

[TheBrit]

A lot of schools are going until 1-2 PM with snack breaks but no lunch. It’s not ideal but it’s definitely more than a half day.

Still stupid. No reason not to go back to full days and normal breaks, lunchtimes . Should have been done months ago.

[merchantms]

Still stupid. No reason not to go back to full days and normal breaks, lunchtimes . Should have been done months ago.

It’s very dangerous to eat indoors in HK...unless you’re in a restaurant with loads of strangers.