Forum Letter Replies
Schools Remain Vigilant Against H1N1
In his letter “Schools must do more” (Today Voices, 29 July 2009), Mr Manoj Kumar Thiyagarajan expressed concerns about schools’ efforts in preventing the spread of H1N1 in the school community.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) continually reviews the precautionary measures for H1N1 in schools, in alignment with Ministry of Health (MOH)’s approach. MOH has revised its approach in tracking H1N1 cases, testing suspected cases only when there is a clinical indication (e.g. severely ill patients). For patients with influenza-like illness who do not require hospitalisation and are not likely to be tested for H1N1, doctors will issue Medical Certificates (MC) of up to 7 days for staff and students above 12 years old, and up to 10 days for children 12 years and below from onset of symptoms.
In view of MOH’s revised approach, schools are closely monitoring the number of students and staff with MCs due to influenza-like illnesses. In the event that a significant number of students in a class are issued MCs due to influenza-like illnesses, the school would consider taking precautionary measures, such as segregating the class into groups or temporarily suspending lessons for the class. The students will be provided with home-based learning lessons or attend make-up lessons when they return to school.
Schools will continue to be vigilant in efforts to slow the spread of the H1N1 virus within the school community. In addition to monitoring the number of MCs, schools are visually screening students, staff and visitors for flu-like symptoms. Schools will continue to keep their premises clean and educate students to maintain high standards of personal hygiene and exercise social responsibility. Schools also adopt the necessary precautionary measures for mass activities.
We seek parents’ understanding and cooperation in our efforts to implement measures. Before your child leaves for school, you can take his/her temperature and look out for any flu-like symptoms. If your child is unwell, we seek your cooperation to exercise social responsibility by seeking medical attention for your child and ensuring that your child is well before returning to school.
Let us work together to safeguard the health of our students. We will continue to monitor the H1N1 situation closely and review measures as the situation develops, in consultation with MOH.
Director, Schools
Ministry of Education
Schools Must Do More (Manoj Kumar Thiyagarajan, Today Voices, 29/7, p34)
H1N1 is here to stay and schools have been affected, yet there does not seem to be any concerted effort made to prevent the virus from spreading.
By now, all schools should have started revision for the upcoming Primary School Leaving Examinations in October. Thus, if someone in that cohort has the virus, the school should stop all pupils at that level from attending school. At Saint Andrew’s Junior School, there have been a few cases of H1N1 but it has not allowed students from that level to stay at home except for those from its top class. Now it seems, some boys are falling ill as well.
E-learning might not be the best substitute for classroom teaching, but shouldn’t we at least trust the students and their ability to revise independently?
Schools aside, currently, Singapore seems to be riding by on luck, and there is no concerted action to prevent huge crowds from gathering at places. The sales are on, and the health of many is being put in danger because of the great numbers of people in a place. I find it incomprehensible that school events get cancelled, with H1N1 being cited as a reason, but no action is being taken to control the number of people going for sales.