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In the event of a flu outbreak, schools need to be well equipped and trained to ensure learning continues to take place.
From as early as October and November last year, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has been helping schools prepare for possible flu pandemic. With help from the Ministry of Health (MOH), MOE carried out familiarisation exercises with school leaders and key personnel on the actions to take in case of such an emergency.
In fact, schools like Greenwood Primary already have Digital Network Access (DNA) and Learning Advantage (LEAD) e-learning platforms. Greenwood Primary explains how, with the appropriate resources, pupils could extend these into an e-learning platform to support home access. “Worksheets and self learning activities will be given or sent to pupils, lessons captured on CD-ROMs or video-tapes.” The school reveals that preparation of such learning packages have either already begun or are being fine-tuned.
Continued Learning, even in Emergencies
In the event that schools are ordered to close (after consultation with MOH), MOE and schools will execute their plans to ensure that students remain engaged in learning during school closure. Poi Ching School has put in place the Communication Standard Operating Procedures to ensure effective communication within the school and its stakeholders. Principal Mdm Foo Mui Chuw, explains, “We are now working with vendors to step-up the implementation of e-learning for the school community. We plan to have more meaningful and interactive teaching and learning resources than just the worksheets.”
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Internet
The MOE website will be uploaded with additional e-learning resources, including educational packages on the flu virus. Schools will also implement e-learning on their own. Poi Ching has found that 96% of its school population own PC with Internet access. “All teachers have the e-mail addresses of their pupils,” reveals Mdm Foo. “Pupils are aware that in case of school closures, they can communicate with their teachers through e-mail and phone calls. We’re also making platforms available for teachers to conduct on-line discussion to decide on activities and pupils' assignments.” |
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Telecommunication service
For pupils/students without Internet access, they will be contacted by telephone should there be a need to deliver urgent messages. Pupils of Greenwood Primary regularly receive phone calls or SMS’s, as part of their familiarisation exercise. |
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Free-to-air broadcast services
MOE will broadcast suitable TV and radio programmes to engage pupils/students. |
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Postal service
Pupils/students without Internet access at home will be sent learning materials by post. |
Currently, all secondary schools and Junior Colleges have Learning Management Systems in place to support on-line learning. For primary pupils, alternative approaches are prepared. Poi Ching School is preparing home learning packages that follow each subject’s scheme of work. Mdm Foo adds, “Through the portals, pupils will learn the concepts and do some worksheets.” At Greenwood Primary, lesson packages will include relevant educational websites for pupils (with parent supervision) and suggested activities that parents could conduct with their children.
The Ministry has clarified that teachers will continue to assign homework and in this way, students can be assessed. Teachers will provide feedback so that students are aware of their progress. However, there will be no home assessment for national examinations, due to the impracticality of invigilation. At Greenwood Primary, regular contact would likely correspond with the channels they plan to adopt ie: free to air broadcast services. |
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Since the beginning of this school year, MOE has also given additional supplies to schools so that all students will have a thermometer each. Under MOH guidance, cleaning and disinfecting of floors, tables, chairs and equipment at the common areas have been stepped up.
When there are no health emergencies, parents will be advised to send their children to school as they normally would. Schools and MOE will monitor the situation closely and in consultation with MOH, activate any relevant measures.
However, as with any disease or infection, the best preventive measure is education; in this case arming the students with knowledge of good personal hygiene. Schools will also screen all personnel engaged by the school (eg: coaches, librarians, Technical Assistants, cleaners, gardeners, canteen vendors) for travel history, in accordance to MOH's guidelines.
For visitors, MOH will provide appropriate screening measures. Posters will be put up at school entrances to advise visitors who are not feeling well, have contact history with flu pandemic cases or have travel history to countries affected with flu pandemic, not to enter the school. |
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Although not all students in Singapore have or can afford access to a PC or the Internet at home. Some schools like Greenwood Primary, are actively looking at ways to support needy pupils in kind – Greenwood Primary told Contact that the school was "providing needy pupils with computers, such as putting together re-conditioned computers.”
Poi Ching School’s Mdm Foo reveals that the school has “drawn up a policy in using the Opportunity Fund given by MOE ie: financial support will be given to needy pupils to purchase PCs and the necessary network connections. Relevant training will be provided for all pupils in accessing the learning portals.”
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