(Fighting New Coronary Pneumonia) Hong Kong Education Bureau: Schools can continue to suspend face-to-face courses as planned
China News Service, Hong Kong, August 3 (Reporter Han Xingtong) Yang Runxiong, the Director of the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, held a press conference on the 3rd to announce that all schools in Hong Kong can start the new school year according to the original date. However, due to the seriousness of the epidemic, all face-to-face courses and school The event will continue to be suspended.
Data map: Yang Runxiong, Director of the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Photo by China News Agency reporter Qin Louyue
Yang Runxiong said that the epidemic is expected to last for a period of time, even spanning the summer vacation, but schools and parents generally hope that students can relearn as soon as possible after the vacation. Therefore, the Education Bureau has decided that all schools in Hong Kong can start a new school year according to the original date, including international schools and kindergartens that generally open in August, and primary and secondary schools and special schools that open in September.
However, due to the seriousness of the epidemic, all face-to-face courses and school activities will be suspended until further notice. The relevant arrangements are applicable to schools offering non-formal courses, including tuition schools.
During this period, schools can use other modes, including online courses for teaching. Yang Runxiong said that during the suspension of classes in the past few months, I believe the school has accumulated considerable experience in helping students learn at home. I believe that in the new school year, students will be encouraged to learn at home in different ways. The Education Bureau will continue to provide support to schools.
Yang Runxiong also pointed out that after the beginning of the new school year, the school must keep the school premises open so that students who are lacking in the family can return to school. The school must also arrange appropriate staff to take care of them and handle basic and necessary tasks and parents' inquiries.
Yang Runxiong said that some faculty and staff may need to return to school to prepare for online teaching and to handle related tasks. When arranging staff to return to school, the school should follow the principles of appropriateness, appropriateness and avoid group gatherings. Staff returning to school should also try to maintain social distance. Take sufficient preventive measures.
He continued that the Education Bureau will continue to monitor the development of the epidemic, listen to the opinions of health experts, and maintain close communication with the academic community. When the epidemic subsides, it will announce the date and arrangements for returning to school as soon as possible. He said that it is difficult to determine a specific date for the resumption of face-to-face courses, which needs to be determined in response to the development of the epidemic. When it is possible to resume face-to-face courses, he believes that the phased recovery method is more secure. (Finish)