SINGAPORE — Some students who went to school today (Sept 25) despite the announced closure were given board games to play, while others had enrichment programmes prepared for them. Some students had their meals delivered to them by teachers, who did not want them to brave the haze while they buy food from outside the school.

Yesterday, as the haze worsened, the Government declared the closure of primary and secondary schools. Parents who were unable to make alternative care arrangements were told they could still send their children to school and teachers would supervise them.

According to authorities, about 3,300 students reported to school today as of 10.30am, less than 1 per cent of the total cohort of Primary and Secondary school students.

In line with the announced school closure, both the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) and MENDAKI announced today that they had suspended their tuition classes for today and tomorrow. The two organisations said they were reaching out to parents via phone or SMS to inform them of the closures.

MENDAKI centre supervisors and head tutors will still be at the tuition centres to receive and assist students who may have missed the announcement, the Malay self-help group said. It has also prepared materials, such as YouTube Mathematics videos and mock-exam papers, online for students who may want to continue their exam preparations.

CDAC will also have Tuition Centre supervisors stationed at its tuition centres to assist parents and students who may have missed the announcement.

Earlier today, Principal of Si Ling Primary School, Mr Lim Chew Hiong Richard, said 13 students, most in the Primary 3 and 4 levels, came in the morning. Parents usually fetch their children at 1pm but the students can stay in school until 6pm, he said.

Students were placed at the school’s student care centre and library. In the library, two teachers and one librarian would be present, with teachers on an hourly rotation. Another room has been set aside for more students, said Mr Lim.

Two air purifiers were placed in the library and teachers will bring food to the students, he added. The students in the library were seen on their laptops playing educational games online. There were also enrichment programmes to keep students occupied.

De La Salle School principal Daphne Sing, 53, said about 20 to 23 students had showed up and were housed in the library, where they could play board games. A teacher was also at the library reading a book to students.

Primary six student Abhiramarooban Katherasn, at De La Salle School said: “The teachers here are very helpful. During the haze in the morning ... they actually help us buy food. ... They don’t want us to go out so that we can stay healthy for exams (and) not fall sick.”

At Clementi Primary School and Nan Hua Primary School between 7am and 7.30am, a few parents were seen bringing their children to school. Nan Hua Primary School principal Becky Neo said that about 11 pupils came to the school.

CHILDCARE CENTRES TAKE PRECAUTIONS

While schools were shut, several childcare centres were in operation today for parents with no alternatives for childcare.

A spokesperson from My First Skool said it has “an established set of operating procedures for various haze alert levels”. Today, it scaled down lessons and programmes while remaining open. Precautionary measures such as shutting the windows, deploying air purifiers and keeping children indoors in air-conditioned rooms are in place.

“We need to continue to support working parents as many will not have alternative care arrangements. For the children under our care, their health and well-being remain of utmost importance,” said the spokesperson.

“We have also advised our staff to take preventive measures to stay indoors and take care of their health amidst potential ill effects from haze exposure.”

Other preschools TODAY visited also said they have taken the necessary measures to protect the children.

At Apricot Academy, 11 out of the usual 47 children were present. Principal Sabiah Jabar said: “Actually, this is a compliment to us and a sign that they trust us to take care of their children.”

The Nurture Cottage Preschool and Childcare has closed its main door and all windows to keep out as much haze as possible. “Despite this haze condition, our school will be open (as usual), but we have already informed the parents so they have a choice to send their children here,” said Ms Tina Lim, Director of The Nurture Cottage Preschool and Childcare.

Ms Jackie Foley, 31, a parent of two daughters aged three and five, walked to The Nurture Cottage Preschool and Childcare. “The teacher was actually rushing me to close the door as I was taking quite some time to drop them off at the main door as one of my children had a cast on his leg,” she said.

Another parent, Mr Adrian Lum, who also dropped off his four-year-old son said: “This haze condition is very last minute and (it is) not easy to find someone to take care of my kid, but I (know) that the school will take care of him.”

REPORTING STACEY LIM, MARISSA YEO, FRANCIS LAW