Preschools to remain open even if schools close when haze hits hazardous level: Desmond Lee

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SINGAPORE: Preschools will remain open even if schools close when 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings reach hazardous levels, said Education Minister Desmond Lee on Friday (Oct 16).

Speaking at a press conference to address the haze situation, Mr Lee said that while haze forecasts help schools plan and give parents and students advance notice, school leaders will also take into account the hourly PM2.5 readings in managing school-based activities.

If the 24-hour PSI forecast for the next day is 300 and above, the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will strongly encourage parents and guardians to keep their infants and young children at home.

MOE will also consider closing schools and transitioning to home-based learning for younger students from preschool to secondary school.

“We understand that this can be challenging for parents who cannot work from home or who cannot find alternative arrangements for their children,” said Mr Lee.

This is why MOE kindergartens, MOE Kindergarten Care and ECDA-licensed preschools will remain open even if schools close, said Mr Lee.

Indoor activities like reading and hands-on activities may be conducted during the opening hours, and appropriate haze mitigation measures, such as the use of air purifiers in closed rooms, will be put in place for children who report to the preschools.

Special education schools, as well as student care centres in primary and secondary schools, will also stay open to take care of students who do not have alternative care arrangements.

On Oct 9, the task force said that MOE would consider closing schools when the air quality forecast for the next day is in the hazardous range, with the 24-hour PSI exceeding 300.

"In making any decision to close schools, MOE is mindful of the disruptions to families’ care arrangements for their children, and will take into consideration all available information, health advisories and forecasts from the relevant authorities regarding the next day’s haze situation," it said at the time.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu and Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau were also on the panel on Friday. The task force was convened last week, led by the National Environment Agency and comprising 28 government agencies.

Singapore has now endured nearly two weeks of unhealthy air quality in at least one part of the island.

The last time all five regions recorded moderate air quality at the same time was at midnight on Oct 5, when 24-hour PSI readings ranged from 77 to 100. Friday also marks six weeks since Singapore recorded its first unhealthy 24-hour PSI reading of the year.

Central Singapore crossed into the very unhealthy band at midnight on Friday, and its 24-hour PSI climbed to 229 at 3pm – a new high for the year.

Besides PSI, schools will also look at the hourly PM2.5 readings to adjust the measures on the ground because that "reflects that specific moment's situation", said Mr Lee. 

If the reading is in the elevated range, or between 56 to 150, schools will avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities. 

Indoor non-strenuous activities, such as light physical exercises can continue, but students who are unwell or have pre-existing conditions will be excused, he said, adding that schools will also deploy air purifiers in indoor spaces. 

If the 1-hour PM2.5 reading reaches the high range, students will stay in enclosed indoor spaces with air purifiers on. Students will avoid outdoor activities and strenuous indoor activities and have their meals indoors, said Mr Lee. 

Schools will also replace outdoor co-curricular activities and camps with indoor activities where possible, or the activities will be cancelled or postponed.

If the hourly PM2.5 reading reaches very high levels during school operating hours, schools will scale down lessons by reducing the intensity of indoor activities, and suspend all physical and after-school activities, said the education minister. 

NATIONAL EXAMS

On Friday, Ms Fu said that Singapore should be prepared for the haze to last for some time, stressing that the situation is fluid.

“Depending on the weather, we can expect air quality to fluctuate, including the possibility of reaching hazardous levels,” she added.

Towards the inter-monsoon period at the end of October or early November, the government expects the situation to improve, said Ms Fu.

The O-Level and A-Level examinations are scheduled throughout October and November. Addressing concerns about the haze affecting the exams, Mr Lee said students taking the national examinations will sit for their papers in enclosed, air-conditioned venues with air purifiers on.

Should the 24-hour PSI forecast reach hazardous levels, MOE will consider rescheduling O-Level papers in line with the health advisory for younger students, said the education minister.

The A-Level papers are “generally less likely to be affected” because the students are older, he added.

"I know that students have been working very hard to prepare for their national exams and we want to minimise disruption for them," he added.

If students who are taking the national exams are unwell and unable to take or continue with an exam, they should see a doctor, obtain a medical certificate and apply for special consideration through their schools, said Mr Lee. 

When asked if schools have seen more students taking medical leave in the past few days, Mr Lee said the experience is “variegated” on the ground.

In some areas, the data shows no difference from the same period last year, while other areas are seeing more students falling ill with sore throat, cold and the flu, he added.

“Some of it could be linked to haze, some of it may be due to spreading of other diseases,” he said.

The key is to plan in advance and ensure that the measures are in line with health advisories to safeguard children’s well-being while continuing their education safely, said Mr Lee.

MOE will take reference forecasts and "actual ground circumstances" in deciding whether exams will be rescheduled, said Mr Lee.

Any rescheduling of O-Level and A-Level papers to the earliest practicable date will be announced by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB).

The education minister also addressed fake news about school closures circulating on social media, which has caused “confusion and anxiety”.

He urged parents, students and the public to refer only to updates from MOE’s official channels and Parents Gateway. More information about the scheduling of O-Level and A-Level exams will be available on SEAB’s website.