Graduating students can return to school from May 19 for exam prep in ‘careful and calibrated’ manner: Ong Ye Kung

SINGAPORE — Students from graduating cohorts will return to school during the school holidays from May 19 to help them prepare for their national exams, though this will be done in a “careful and calibrated manner, with ample safe distancing”, said Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung.

This will mean that students in Primary 6, Secondary 4 and 5, their second year of Junior College or third year of Pre-University will be the first to return to school for face-to-face lessons.

“We know that these students have been anxious about the preparation for their national exams, and that home-based learning cannot fully substitute face to face coaching and lessons,” Mr Ong wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday (May 2).

He said the students will be asked to return to their respective schools in small groups and that their returns will be staggered throughout the day and on selected days each week.

The wearing of masks will be mandatory, and students will be spaced out within the school compound, he added.

Once in school, he said that the students will meet their teachers one-to-one or in small groups.

“We will give priority to students requiring school facilities for coursework and practical sessions, as well as those who need additional support and remediation,” he said.

Mr Ong noted that the four-week mid-year school holidays start in May. 

The first two weeks will be protected time for teachers, he said. 

“This is something we always do, to allow teachers some time to rest and recharge, although we know many of them use the time to plan lessons and stay in touch with students. For teachers rostered during this period, they will be given protected rest time in the later half of May.

Mr Ong also stressed that throughout the mid-year school holidays, schools will continue to engage students with greater needs and provide care for those whose parents work in essential services and are unable to secure alternative care arrangements.