Back to school: Secretary for Education & Manpower Prof Arthur Li urges concerned parents to visit schools to ask what measures are being taken to safeguard students.

There is bad news and good news for kids enjoying the unexpected school break: Primary schools will begin to re-open in stages beginning on May 12 - but teachers are discouraged from giving tests.

Older primary school students are set to return to school on May 12, the Secretary for Education & Manpower said today. Younger students are tentatively slated to resume classes one week later.

"We have consulted widely and we know the majority are in support of our proposal," Professor Arthur Li said at a press briefing.

The schools will re-open in stages, with Primary Four, Five and Six returning on May 12. Kindergartens and junior primary schools will re-open on May 19.

"We will closely monitor the situation and make announcements," Prof Li said.

"We have to make a lot of preparations in view of the opening of primary schools since primary schoolchildren are not so alert and may not be so good at taking care of themselves," he added.

The extra week gives schools and parents time to prepare the children and take precautionary measures.

Examinations discouraged

In a move aimed at reducing students' stress levels, Prof Li asked teachers to avoid giving them tests. Children have suffered a lot of pressure since the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak.

"If classes resume and they have to take exams it will be too hard for them, we should avoid them as far as possible," he said.

"If schools can make use of the opportunity to teach, to enhance students' awareness, to provide life education, this is a good opportunity for raising students' awareness of public health - that is better than testing them."

Regarding the assessment for Primary 5 students, he added, that "unless it's absolutely necessary, you should cancel exams".

"Achievment is important, but psychological wellbeing is also important," he added. Students have had doubts and queries since the start of the outbreak, "so schools should tell them what has happened, and I urge parents not to put too much emphasis on academic results".

Parents urged to take children's temperature

Prof Li expressed his disappointment with a small percentage of parents who were not co-operating by taking their children's temperature before sending them to school.

Of 497 schools in Hong Kong, six of them reported that 40% of their students had not had their temperature check before school started. "I find that level unacceptable," he said. "Again, we urge parents to be co-operative."

Taking the temperature of each and every student at school is time-consuming, he said. Parents can do their part by doing it at home. Keeping students with fevers out of the classroom is key to containing the spread of the disease, he said.

If parents have any difficulty procuring a thermometer, the schools will assist them.

"The Jockey Club has donated $100 million - buying thermometers is not a problem," he stressed.

Guidelines are being sent to headmasters of each primary school to spell out requirements:

* students who have a fever should not go to school;

* if students are found to have a fever, they should be sent home immediately;

* if a student is a suspected SARS patient, even though their case is not confirmed, the school will be closed for 10 days; and,

* every school must be disinfected every day.

"I cannot say that there is no risk, but I can say that the risk is kept to a minimum," Prof Li said.

Re-opening preparations underway

Before resuming classes, Government departments are working closely with the schools to ensure that they are properly cleaned and disinfected.

"I understand some parents are afraid. We urge schools to communicate with parents more frequently and to answer their questions," he said.

"We will hold seminars about the re-opening, and staff will answer their questions on the spot."

Two secondary schools have been suspended, recently. In each school, one student is suspected to have contracted SARS.

"They attended school for just one day," Prof Li said.

"Our medical colleagues said that if they did contract it, they didn't contract it at school."

All schools will be disinfected, and the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will send teams to inspect the schools to make sure everything is all right. Schools have been supplied with thermometers and masks.

"I hope the parents will have confidence in us," Prof Li said.

Pay kindergarten fees, Secretary urges

He noted that kindergartens in particular are facing financial difficulties, and there are reports in the press that many may close.

"I have met with representatives from kindergartens, and with Legislative Council members, and they have reflected their concerns to me," he said.

Many parents were refusing to pay fees since the classes were suspended. Prof Li, stressed, though, that the fees were calculated on an annual basis and divided into 12 instalments.

"I hope parents will feel responsible and pay the fees," he said. "Kindergarten education is very important - it's a preparation for them to get on with other children, to start learning, to enjoy learning. It's a very important time."

Some parents may find it hard to bear the school fees, Prof Li added. "If they have problems they can come forward and apply for assistance."

Non-profit kindergartens in need may also apply for Jockey Club funding, he said.

Flexibility in teaching is key

The Education & Manpower Bureau is encouraging schools to adopt flexible teaching arrangements. They may consider breaking up later for the summer holidays, and postponing assessments until late June or July. Classes could start earlier or later in the day, he said. Lunches might be extended to give children more time outside, when cleaning and disinfecting takes place.

Next concern: Dengue fever

The start of the summer season brings a new threat: Dengue fever. Schools are being urged to ensure there is no still water lying around, and hillsides are being fumigated, he said. They may have mosquito repellent available in schools.

"We are looking at the possibility of putting screens on windows," Prof Li said. To control the spread of SARS, opening windows for good ventilation is encouraged. But this invites mosquitoes.

"Now is the time to be proactive, to take precautions to prevent Dengue fever."

The Bureau has done a lot to ensure safety and cleanliness in schools, Prof Li said, adding that he will be "very unhappy" if students do contract SARS and there is cross infection.

If a child is bitten by a mosquito in school and dies of Dengue fever, "would I be at fault because I didn't kill all the mosquitoes?" he asked a reporter, in reply to a question. "We can only do our best. Not a single person can deal with that. If we can work together, the virus cannot be spread. If everyone works together, it will not happen. If someone is so irresponsible and goes to school while he or she is ill and spreads the disease that would be unfortunate and I would be very unhappy."

He encouraged concerned parents to visit schools. "I hope they don't just worry. If you're worried, what are you worried about? Go back to the school, ask the principals, what are the measures they are doing to ensure the schools are safe?"