Planned resumption of activities moving towards a COVID-19 endemic status

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Shahira Abdullah, Nominated Member of Parliament

Question

To ask the Minister for Education as Singapore moves towards a COVID-19 endemic status and with the important need to strengthen students' relationships and social interactions for their holistic mental wellness and development (a) what is the expected timeline the Ministry has to further open up schools to normalcy; and (b) what are the possible changes that the schools may make by the end of the year.

Response

1. MOE recognises that Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) and other interpersonal activities are important for student development and overall well-being. MOE has taken a calibrated approach to resume student activities, with reference to the national posture.

2. In-person CCAs and enrichment activities at the Secondary-level and above, including our Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) resumed in August this year with the relevant safe management measures in place. With the tightening of community safe management measures in the Stabilisation Phase from 27 September, MOE had suspended in-person CCAs and enrichment activities for Secondary and Junior College/Millenia Institute students. We hope to resume these activities when it is safe for our students to do so.

3. For primary school students who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, we have taken a more cautious approach, with in-person CCAs still suspended. We are monitoring the situation carefully and will decide at an appropriate juncture when to resume in-person CCAs and activities in a safe manner, complemented by stringent safe management and surveillance measures.