The Education Bureau announced yesterday that all secondary schools in Hong Kong must suspend face-to-face classes and all in-school activities on or before next Monday (24th).
Cai Ruolin, deputy director of the Education Bureau, said on the TV program "Millennium" that the resumption of classes depends on the age of the students, their self-care ability, and the urgency of their learning. The resumption of classes after the Lunar New Year will be announced at the end of the month.
As for the vaccine bubble that will be implemented on the 24th of next month, she pointed out that if teachers do not have a health certificate and are unwilling to give injections, they will not be allowed to enter the campus and will be regarded as unreasonable absences. Forcibly entering the campus without permission will face disciplinary action or suffer legal consequences.
Cai Ruolian, deputy director of the Education Bureau.
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Cai Ruolian described the decision to suspend classes as "very difficult", explaining that there were three factors to consider, including the increasing severity of the epidemic, the fact that there are cases with unknown origins reflecting the invisible transmission in the community; some school teachers and students have been diagnosed, and some people need to undergo compulsory testing or quarantine; and mutant viruses The transmission power is very strong.
She said that she would maintain close communication with experts and the principal before making a decision. She also suggested that activities with too many people should be scattered in different classrooms or places. For example, in a classroom with 30 students, the number of students can be reduced by half or arranged in groups of less than 10 people. .
When asked if there is a need for additional ventilation requirements in classrooms, she believes that the classrooms are designed with large rows of windows and doorways, and the airflow is connected.
As for the guidelines for resumption of classes after the Lunar New Year, Cai Ruolin said that depending on the development of the epidemic, expert opinions, school environment, student age, and health risks, the urgency of learning will be balanced.
▼On January 20, the Centre for Health Protection pointed out that Exit A of Meifu Station of MTR was suspected to be a place where female teachers had been infected▼
Teachers without injections under the vaccine bubble are regarded as unreasonable absences
The vaccine bubble will cover schools from the 24th of next month, and kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, cram school staff, service providers and visitors must show records of at least the first dose of the new crown vaccine before they can enter the school.
Cai Ruolian said that at least 95% of the teaching staff have been vaccinated for the first time this month. If the measures take effect, teachers who do not have a health certificate and have not been vaccinated will not be allowed to enter the campus, they will be regarded as unreasonable absences, and the school will not approve staff. During the holidays, forcibly entering campus without permission will be subject to disciplinary action or legal consequences.
As for visitors, such as parents, also need to have injections. She emphasized that it is to protect the health of students and reduce the risk of transmission in schools. I hope parents can understand.
In addition, children aged 5 to 11 can be vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine from today, and the Fubitai vaccine will be vaccinated from the 16th of next month.
Cai Ruolian said that she will continue to encourage students to be vaccinated, emphasizing that the vaccination rate will not be linked to the resumption of classes.
Principal expects to resume face-to-face teaching at least for Secondary 6 students
Qiu Shaoxiong, chairman of the New Territories Principals Association, said that the Secondary 6 mock exam has come to an end, and the remaining elective subjects have not been completed. Therefore, some Secondary 6 students will continue to go back to the school next Monday for the exam. It is estimated that there are only 60 students per day.
The school has arranged the auditorium as the test site, and will arrange to sit in alternate rows. The distance between candidates is two meters. After the test, cleaning and disinfection will be strengthened.
He believes that face-to-face classes are more effective than online classes. In addition, secondary six students will face public exams. He hopes that the authorities will try to allow them to return to school.
The 5th wave of the epidemic｜Education Bureau: Secondary schools are closed on or before 1.24. Secondary 6 students can go back to school for half-day classes. Educational staff professional ethics council will end its operation. Clarify that the face-to-face Continuing Education Bureau is holding the basic law test candidates today: no national security law test is more concentrated and the power of the National People's Congress
