Remain vigilant: Prof Arthur Li, flanked by his Deputy, Cheng Yan-chee and Principal Assistant Secretary for Education & Manpower Ma Siu-leung, reminds parents not to let children leave home unnecessarily while classes are suspended.

The class-suspension period for kindergartens, primary, secondary and special schools has been extended to April 21, Professor Arthur Li announced this afternoon.

The initial class suspension, begun on March 29 during the atypical pneumonia outbreak, was scheduled to run until April 6.

The Secretary for Education & Manpower said that since the atypical pneumonia situation was not yet stable, the bureau had decided to advance the approaching Easter holiday.

Self-learning exercises widely available

While classes are suspended, students have plenty to keep them occupied, Prof Li noted. There are learning programmes available on radio, television and even on the telephone. Hong Kong Education City has also developed online lessons to help kids learn from home.

This week, it launched an Interactive Classroom with live broadcasts of story-telling and school-certificate sessions. Another 50 Interactive Classrooms are also set up for teachers to deliver lessons and maintain contacts with their students.

Students can get access to the abundant learning resources on the Hong Kong Education City website, including educational games and project learning packs, English Campus, introduction to books, thematic essays and interesting video clips.

Radio Television Hong Kong has also produced a series of special-educational progammes, supplemented by eTVonline to answer students' enquiries about schoolwork and health education on the web.

Other organisations providing educational programmes and enquiry services for students include the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Hong Kong YWCA , Hong Kong Polytechnic University!VSMILE, Hong Kong Baptist University, St James'Settlement, Hok Yau Club and The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong.

Students who don't have access to home computers, or whose parents cannot watch over them or arrange to have someone watch over them, can go to their schools and use the resources there. 

If necessary, all schools should remain open during class suspension and have teaching  staff to take care of students in need.

'We must not lower our guard'

In view of the relatively long period of class suspension, Prof Li reminded and urged parents not to let children leave home unless necessary. In particular, parents should avoid bringing children to visit areas affected by atypical pneumonia and must pay attention to their health condition.

"We must not lower our guard and should strictly observe the guidelines on the prevention of atypical pneumonia issued by the Department of Health," he said.

The bureau is issuing guidelines to schools today to remind them of the points to note during the extended class-suspension period and to reiterate all preventive measures.

"We shall continue to closely monitor the latest development of atypical pneumonia. If necessary, we shall make an appropriate announcement before class resumption," Prof Li added.

For support and enquiries, schools can contact their respective Regional Education Offices or call the Education & Manpower Bureau hotline on 2892 2352.

Prof Li also made these key points:

* The Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination and Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination will be conducted as scheduled.

* All universities will decide whether or not to extend their own class-suspension period.

* The Vocational Training Council and Employees Retraining Board will make separate announcements on their courses and examination arrangements.

* The Secondary School Places Allocation exercise will be delayed by one week, to July 15.

* The bureau has secured 2 million face masks for  students and staff of its schools should they be required once classes resume.