The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) have announced new measures in line with the Multi-Ministry Taskforce's efforts to further enhance safe distancing measures in a bid to break the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore.
In keeping with that it was announced on Friday that starting 8 April 2020, all primary, secondary, Pre-University and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) students, including students from Special Education (SPED) schools, will shift to full Home-Based Learning (HBL) till 4 May 2020.
"Because we are implementing a national circuit breaker policy and schools are an important part of it. It will help us move towards a position where we can enhance safe distancing, cut down on social interactions significantly and reduce transmissions," said Education Minister Ong Ye Kung.
All preschools, MOE Kindergartens and student care centres, including special student care centres, will suspend their general services during this period.
Private education institutions have also been told to move to HBL, or suspend classes otherwise. Classes will resume on 5 May 2020 unless it is decided that these measures need to be prolonged.
Primary and secondary schools, pre-universities, special education schools and institutes of higher learning
During the full HBL phase, schools will continue to provide instructions and support for students to access both online and hardcopy materials. Schools will also assist students who may require digital devices or internet access.
The Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS) platform will continue to be accessible to students during this period.
School staff will keep in regular contact with students and their parents. SPED teachers will also provide support for the customised curriculum, and maintain regular contact.
School-based assessments and examinations for the year will need to be adjusted where necessary. All school-based Mid-Year Examinations will be cancelled. However, national examinations, including the mid-year GCE O- and A-Level Mother Tongue Language examinations in June, Year-End Examinations and Primary School Leaving Examinations will proceed as planned.
Preschools and student care centres
All preschools are to suspend their general services and to remain open only to serve a limited group of parents who are unable to find alternative care arrangements, such as those working in essential services like healthcare.
ECDA will waive the minimum 1-day attendance requirement for preschool subsidies in April. MSF will also waive the minimum attendance requirement for Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) subsidies in April.
