Schools to Implement One Day of Home-Based Learning a Week

1. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, schools have implemented a strict regime of precautionary measures to safeguard the well-being of our staff and students. With further enhanced measures, we have been able to open schools as planned following the March school holidays. However, the recent spike in imported cases signals a new phase in our nation's fight against COVID-19. To support further safe distancing, schools will progressively transit to a blended learning model, starting with one day of Home-Based Learning (HBL) a week. This arrangement will not affect MOE Kindergartens.

2. Commencing from April 2020, all schools will conduct one day of HBL a week, according to the following arrangement:

On days where students are not on HBL, schools will stagger dismissal times to reduce the transient congestion of students.

3. Schools will provide instructions to students and parents on accessing HBL materials to continue with their learning. When this requires use of digital devices, schools will assist students who do not have access. MOE HQ will provide schools with sufficient resources. We have also ensured that our Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS) will be accessible to students during this period. While digital technologies will play a key part in HBL, all our students can rely upon the ongoing support of their teachers and other school personnel. Our students in Special Education (SPED) Schools as well as their parents will also receive HBL support for the customised curriculum from SPED teachers through regular contact.

4. Schools will remain open for a small group of students whose parents are not able to secure alternative childcare arrangement. Priority is given to parents in essential services like healthcare. These parents may approach their schools for assistance. There will be a small number of teachers in school to supervise these students and support students at home who may have SLS and HBL-related queries.

5. HBL will not be able to fully replace the depth and variety of learning experiences that our students derive from being physically present in school. We are also conscious that moving to HBL will have impact on many parents and families, especially those without good home support. Hence, we want to progressively introduce HBL, so as to allow both our students and parents to be better prepared should the situation call for more days of HBL. We will also put in place additional measures to help students with higher needs or who require more support for HBL.

Centre-Based Learning

6. MOE had switched centre-based learning ¹ to HBL format for the first two weeks of Term 2 to reduce the risk of intermingling of students from different schools. Centre-based learning will continue in the HBL format until the end of Term 2. For graduating students in Secondary 4 and 5, and JC2, the mode of learning can take the form of video-conferencing in their respective schools or at home, so that 'live' lessons can still be conducted without them having to travel to the centres and mingle across schools.

Continued Suspension of External Activities and Inter-School Activities

7. Co-Curricular Activities will remain suspended for the rest of Term 2. External activities and those that involve mingling of students across schools – Learning Journeys, outdoor learning activities at the Outdoor Adventure Learning Centres and the National School Games – will also remain suspended for the rest of Term 2. The Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation will be cancelled.

8. MOE will continue to monitor the situation closely, and work with schools, parents and the community. We urge all school students and staff to continue practising good personal hygiene and social responsibility throughout the day and even at home. This includes washing their hands frequently with soap, wearing a surgical mask if they have a cough or runny nose to prevent infecting others, seeing a doctor if they are sick and returning to school only when fully recovered.

Footnotes

1. Centre-based learning refers to MOE Language Centres, Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre, Tamil Language Centres, Higher Chinese Language Centres, Higher Malay Language Centres, Chinese Language 'B' Syllabus Centres, Malay Special Programme, Chinese Special Programme, Weekend Centres for Non-Tamil Indian Languages, Music Elective Programme, Art Elective Programme, O-level Art/Music Centres, A-level H3 offered by Autonomous Universities.