DDHK. ORG - Government Hong Kong allow full day classes in elementary school. This applies if 70 percent student do a 'double-jabbed'. Similar rules apply for intermediate sessions which are reduced to 90 percent with 2 doses.
According to scmp.com, elementary schools in Hong Kong can continue classes for a full day if at least 70 percent of students are double vaccinated against Covid.
While 90 percent, the triple-jab requirement for similar secondary sessions has been reduced to two doses.
Education authorities on Tuesday (25/20/2022) announced relaxing measures would be put in place for secondary schools on November 1 and December 1 for primary schools.
Students at both levels, primary and secondary, must double-jabbed them more than two weeks before their respective regulations take effect.
While many students who are higher in grades from primary and secondary schools, have returned to their regular study schedule. Meanwhile, most of the younger students attend half-day classes.
A spokesman for the Education Bureau said the government hoped the changes would allow elementary school students to return to normal activities and "meet their learning, social, physical and mental needs".
But the government has no current plans to allow kindergartens to continue full-day teaching in schools. This is because of the young age of the children. Their limited ability to care for themselves and the relatively low vaccination rate in this age group are reasons.
Just so you know, full-day face-to-face classes at both levels were suspended in August 2020, but the strict rules sparked protests from parents and lawmakers, who fear student development will be hurt.
Earlier this month, authorities rejected calls to resume regular schedules at primary schools, arguing the vaccination rate among students was too low.
A source said the bureau came under "pressure" after pro-establishment lawmakers criticized the government during a legislative panel meeting earlier this month for failing to provide a clear timetable for primary schools to return to normal schedules when many other primary schools.
Back School Requirements
According to government figures, only 27,6 percent of the 502.600 children aged three to 11 have received the triple-jabbed, while 74 percent in the age group were double-vaccinated, meaning most primary schools should be able to meet the relaxed requirements.
Around 300 secondary schools have returned to their normal teaching schedules as vaccination requirements have been met.
The government last August announced secondary schools would only be allowed to hold full-day classes on campus in November if 90 percent of students had received a "triple-jabbed".
Middle school and elementary school students will also have to meet the same requirements from October 1 if they wish to participate in after-school extracurricular activities, such as music or sports.
According to a spokesman for the bureau, the "triple-jabbed" plan for full-day classes at secondary schools will be implemented in February next year, as authorities want to give students more time to schedule their vaccinations.
Starting Tuesday, elementary schools can arrange extracurricular activities for dual-vaccinated students for more than two weeks after class or during the other half of the school day. They can also take part in some of the activities on campus, such as music and sports classes.
However, high school students still need three vaccines as a condition for returning to extracurricular activities.
Students with a doctor's certificate stating they are not eligible for vaccination or those who have recently been infected are exempt from the rule.
The existing requirement for students to take a daily rapid antigen test and record their temperature before going to school will remain in effect.
School Preparation in Hong Kong
Polly Chan Shuk-yee, Principal of Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Street), said her school had prepared for the transition from half-day sessions to full sessions. Schools, where more than 70 percent of students have received two doses, will still need to take anti-pandemic measures for lunchtime when masks are removed.
“As for parents, they really want to have a full day of classes sooner,” said Chan.
Lawmaker and high school principal Tang Fei said he welcomed the new arrangement, as he had urged authorities to review the conditions for continuing full-day classes.
"At the same time, I ask the Education Bureau to discuss with mainland authorities as soon as possible after the pandemic is more stable to arrange for cross-border students to come to Hong Kong for classes in an orderly manner," he said.
The Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers also praised the loosened rules. This policy allows students to return to normal campus life and helps maintain their physical and mental development.
"The pandemic has been going on for almost three years, and schools have not been able to fully resume full-time face-to-face classes, seriously affecting students' learning and social skills," he said. [DDHK News]
