Schools face official caution in full-day race

The Education Bureau will discuss a timetable for resuming full-day classes with principals of kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools, although it is not likely to be implemented anytime soon.

Some principals said the best time to resume full-day school is after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Since in-person classes resumed late last month, students only attend morning lessons to avoid maskless contact.

Langton Cheung Yung-pong, honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Aided Primary School Heads Association, said schools are hoping to resume face-to-face classes on a full-day basis as soon as possible.

His association has reached out to the bureau for talks next week, but the authority has yet to set a date.

The bureau insisted yesterday it currently has no plans to resume classes on a full-day basis anytime soon amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Health experts have reminded the public to stay cautious, as the pandemic is still ongoing and the flu season is also approaching. Therefore, face-to-face classes will continue on a half-day basis," the bureau said in a statement.

"The bureau will pay close attention to the development of the pandemic, follow instructions given by health experts and review class schedules from time to time."

Sources said that although the bureau does not have a timetable for full resumption, it will meet with representatives of kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools.

Eugene Fong Yick-jin, chairman of Committee on Home-School Cooperation, said: "Some parents are also hoping face-to-face classes can resume on a full-day basis, as students have fallen behind in their studies amid the pandemic."

The principal of Buddhist Lim Kim Tian Memorial Primary School, Ng Wing-hung, suggested it might be better to resume full-day classes after Christmas and the New Year, adding schools should be told two to three weeks in advance.

The existing arrangement, with only morning classes, should continue if the pandemic is resurgent in Hong Kong, he added.

The chairman of the Wanchai District Headmasters' Conference, Tai Tak-ching, who is also principal of Sheng Kung Hui Tang Shiu Kin Secondary School, said the most challenging part would be finding places for students to have lunch.

"As long as the public worries about virus transmission at restaurants, it will be difficult to resume full-day school, as students will need to dine together," Tai said.

Students who need to dine at restaurants during lunch would find it hard to find a place to eat and "even if they can find a place to sit, it will be crowded, which is risky amid the pandemic," he said.