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7 Primary Schools to Move to Home-Based Learning for Next Two Weeks

Published Date: 15 May 2021 11:30 PM

News Press Releases

Update on cases linked to Edufirst Learning Centre (Hougang)

Further to MOH’s Press Release on 13 May in which a Yio Chu Kang Primary School student had tested positive for COVID-19, close contacts were placed under Quarantine Order and tested for COVID-19. The student had also attended Edufirst Learning Centre (Hougang), and based on the test results of close contacts from the same centre, one student from Palm View Primary School and a second student from Yio Chu Kang Primary School tested positive for COVID-19 on 15 May and 14 May respectively. Both were last in school on 12 May.

Update on cases at Learning Point Tuition Centre (Parkway Centre)

2. Five students (two from Kong Hwa School, one from St Andrew’s Junior School and two from St Stephen’s School) had earlier tested positive for COVID-19 on 13 May after attending classes run by an infected private tutor at Learning Point at Parkway Centre. MOH had placed their close contacts under Quarantine Order and required them to undergo the COVID-19 PCR swab tests.

3. Swab test results from close contacts of the St Andrew’s Junior School student have now confirmed that two additional students from the same school were also tested positive 15 May. All three had taken the same school bus last on 11 May.

4. Another four students from the same tuition centre have tested positive on 15 May. Two of the students are from Kong Hwa School, while the remaining two are from St Margaret’s Primary School and Yu Neng Primary School respectively, and all were last in school on 12 May. The remaining close contacts involving students of the affected class the tutor taught have tested negative. MOH’s contact tracing is ongoing, and close contacts of these additional cases will be placed under Quarantine Order and undergo the COVID-19 PCR swab tests.

Shift to HBL to prevent transmission in our schools

5. While the infections thus far appear to be linked outside our schools, given the infectious nature of the virus, MOE will move these seven primary schools with COVID-19 infections to Home Based Learning (HBL) from next Monday, 17 May 2021 until the end of Term 2, Friday, 28 May 2021 to safeguard students and staff and curb the risk of any transmission in our schools. The affected schools are:

  • Kong Hwa School
  • Palm View Primary School
  • St. Andrew’s Junior School
  • St Margaret’s Primary School
  • St Stephen’s School
  • Yio Chu Kang Primary School1
  • Yu Neng Primary School

6. MOE is in contact with the schools to provide the necessary support for teachers and students in conducting online learning. Teachers are also in contact with students and parents. MOE is closely monitoring the well-being of students and staff identified as close contacts of confirmed cases, and will implement similar measures for other schools, where necessary.

Tightened Safe Management measures (SMMs) for schools

7. As announced on 14 May2, schools and Institutes of Higher Learning are to implement tightened SMMs to safeguard the well-being of students and staff. Students taking school buses must wear masks at all times throughout the journey and refrain from interacting with each other.

8. Private tuition and enrichment centres are strongly encouraged to move lessons online during this period of heightened risk. MOE will step up inspections and enforcement of the private tuition and enrichment centres to ensure compliance with SMMs.

9. MOE will continue to monitor the situation closely, and implement additional SMMs where necessary to ensure the well-being of students and staff. We urge all students and staff to consult a doctor immediately if they are feeling unwell, continue practising good personal hygiene and adhere to SMMs. This includes wearing masks, washing hands frequently, wiping down equipment and tables after each use, seeing a doctor if they are sick and returning to school or campus only when fully recovered.


Footnotes

  1. Yio Chu Kang Primary School will extend its HBL from Wednesday, 19 May 2021 to end on 28 May 2021 instead.

  2. https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/press-releases/20210514-stepping-up-safe-management-measures--in-schools-and-institutes-of-higher-learning