Schools to shift to home-based learning from May 19 till May 28 amid spike in community cases

ALL primary, secondary, junior college and Millennia Institute students, including students from Special Education schools, will shift to full home-based learning from Wednesday till the end of the term on May 28.

This comes amid the sharp increase in community cases, including the spike in unlinked cases on Sunday, the multi-ministry taskforce on Covid-19 said.

Pre-schools and student care centres will remain open to support parents who need to work.

During the June holidays, schools will allow graduating cohorts to come back in small groups where necessary. The mid-year GCE O- and A-Level Mother Tongue Language examinations will proceed as planned and with strict safe management measures in place.

Meanwhile, Institutes of Higher Learning will reduce attendance on campus by converting more classes to online learning.

Essential in-person sessions such as labs, practicals and final year projects can continue with safe management measures. These measures will hold until June 13, the last day of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), or further notice.

All centre-based tuition and enrichment classes will move activities online till the end of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).

"This is necessary to reduce the intermingling of students from different schools and enhance the safety of our students. These measures will hold until end of Phase 2 Heightened Alert or further notice," the Ministry of Education (MOE) said in a press statement.

During the home-based learning phase, schools will assist students who may require digital devices or internet access.

Schools will remain open for students who require additional support, said MOE. Parents who are working in essential services or are unable to secure alternative care arrangements may approach their children's primary schools for assistance.