School resumption will have to wait

The Education Secretary Kevin Yeung said giving the go-ahead for university entrance examinations does not mean that schools can also resume classes amid the coronavirus outbreak, RTHK reports.

All classes have been suspended since the Lunar New Year holiday to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Despite the announcement on Wednesday that the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education examinations can begin next week, Yeung said students would come into much closer contact in school, compared with exams.

“I hope people can understand taking exams and attending classes are two different kinds of activities. We think we can go ahead with the DSE exams, but it doesn’t mean it’s appropriate to resume classes,” he said.

Yeung added that authorities would take into account the coronavirus situation, schools’ preparation work and the supply of personal protective equipment when considering when to resume classes.

He noted that many schools are helping students continue their learning at home despite the suspension of classes.

He said in principle, schools do not have to cut short the summer holiday, but they can arrange make-up classes for students in accordance with their learning progress.

The secretary said authorities would continue discussions with the education sector on the matter.