The Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced that schools and kindergartens in Singapore will reopen on Monday, 23 March 2020 as planned. There will be additional precautionary measures put in place which apply to student and staff of schools, preschools and student care centres.
14-Day Leave of Absence for Those Overseas During March school holidays
In a media release, the MOE said that those who have travelled overseas during the March 2020 school holidays will be issued with a 14-day Leave of Absence (LOA). This will apply to student and staff of schools, preschools and student care centres who have been out of Singapore on or after Saturday, 14 March 2020. Day Zero of the 14-day LOA will start from the date of their return to Singapore.
These enhanced precautionary measures are in addition to the Ministry of Health’s 14-day Stay Home Notice (SHN) for returning Singapore Residents, Long Term Pass holders and short term visitors from all countries, which takes effect from 20 March, 11.59 pm.
Affected students and staff need to stay away from school and preschool for the duration of the SHN or LOA.
Students who are affected will be supported via home-based learning, to enable them to continue with their learning. Parents of school-going children who have questions may approach their respective schools for clarifications.
For parents who need to stay at home to take care of their children will have to take their own leave. However, employers are encouraged to provide flexible work arrangements for their employees to accommodate these circumstances.
Additional Precautionary Measures – CCAs Suspended for 2 weeks and More
Additional precautions being take for the two weeks after schools reopen include suspension of Co-curricular Activities and the deferment of the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation.
In addition, there will be fixed exam-style seating for those in primary 3 and above, and fixed group cluster seating for primary 1 and 2 and MOE Kindergarten students.
There will also be wipe-down routines in classrooms, assigned seating and wipe-down routines in canteens and assigned play areas where student will play in small-sized groups.
These new precautionary measures are in addition to existing measures such as the suspension of large group and communal activities and staggering of recess times in schools. The National School Games will continue to be suspended until the end of June 2020 holidays.
Get more details here.
