Students from graduating cohorts will be brought back to school starting May 19, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said in a Facebook post on Saturday, May 2.

The graduating cohorts include students from Primary 6, Secondary 4 and 5, Junior College 2, and Pre-U 3.

National Development Minister Lawrence Wong had made the announcement earlier on the same day at a virtual press conference.

Return to school to be done in "a careful and calibrated manner"

Ong said he knows 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".

He said "they will come back in small groups, on selected days in a week, throughout the day, and will be spaced out within the school compound".

Ong added that the students will meet teachers one-to-one, or in small groups, and that masks are compulsory. 

Priority will be given to students requiring school facilities for coursework and practical sessions, as well as those who need additional support and remediation.

Nevertheless, he said throughout the holidays in May, schools will also 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".

As for teachers rostered during this period, they will be given protected rest time in the later half of May, he said. 

First two weeks of mid-year holiday a protected time for teachers to rest

The first two weeks of the four-week mid-year holiday, however, will be "protected time for teachers", which is something that MOE has always done to allow teachers some time to "rest and recharge".

But many teachers still use the time to plan lessons and stay in touch with students, Ong acknowledged.

Top image via Ong Ye Kung/Facebook