Press Releases
Media Statement by MOE on the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has alerted schools, Post Secondary Education Institutions (PSEIs), kindergartens and special education schools of the outbreak of swine flu cases in Mexico and the United States, and advised them to be vigilant in monitoring the well-being of their staff and students.
All schools have procedures to help prevent the spread of diseases amongst staff and students. These include guidelines on good personal hygiene practices, keeping school premises clean and temperature taking. Students who are unwell are also advised to consult a doctor and stay away from school.
MOE has standing plans and exercises them regularly to ensure readiness. For example, temperature-taking exercises are conducted periodically in schools to ensure their readiness to activate regular temperature-taking at short notice should there be a need to. The temperature-taking exercises also serve to educate pupils on the need to take personal responsibility for their own health and to exercise social responsibility for the health of others. Given the swine flu outbreak, a temperature-taking exercise will be conducted in schools this week.
Schools, Post Secondary Education Institutions (PSEIs), kindergartens and special education schools have also been asked to observe any travel advisories by MOH and to review travel plans particularly to affected countries.
We are in close consultation with MOH and will activate relevant health control measures should there be a need to.