Press Release - April 3, 2003

The Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced that the class suspension period for primary, secondary, special schools and kindergartens in Hong Kong would be extended to Monday, April 21.

The suspension, which began March 29, was originally intended to last until April 6.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower of the HKSAR, Prof Arthur K C Li said that since the atypical pneumonia situation in Hong Kong had yet to fully stabilise, the EMB decided to advance the Easter holidays.

"We shall issue guidelines to schools today to remind them of the various points to note during the extended class suspension period and to strictly observe all preventive measures," he said at a press briefing today (April 3).

"Schools should, if necessary, keep their premises open during the period and arrange to have teaching staff on duty to maintain a certain degree of operation and take care of those students in need.

"In view of the relatively long class suspension period, I must remind and urge parents again not to let children go out unless absolutely necessary. Parents are advised to avoid bringing children to places outside Hong Kong which are affected by atypical pneumonia and should pay attention to their health conditions. I hope that those who have to take their children to those places for vacation can notify their schools of their return time so that schools can help monitor the health conditions of their children," Professor Li said.

"Meanwhile, we must not lower our guard and should strictly observe the guidelines on the prevention of atypical pneumonia issued by the HKSAR Department of Health.

"We will keep a close eye on the development of atypical pneumonia and make appropriate announcements before class resumption, if necessary," he added.

During the class suspension period, students can obtain learning materials and assistance in several ways, including email and school homepages.

To facilitate self-learning at home, Hong Kong Education City (www.hkedcity.net) launched an Interactive Classroom this week. Radio Television Hong Kong has also produced a series of special educational progammes, supplemented by eTVonline (www.etvonline.tv), to respond to students' enquiries about school work and health.

The HKSAR Social Welfare Department also announced that the class suspension would be extended to April 21 for all day child care centres, including nurseries, day creches and special childcare centres. All centres will remain open for those in need of care, however.

The extended class suspension period also applies to adult education courses operated by the EMB.

However, Hong Kong Advanced Level Examinations and Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examinations will continue as scheduled.

Universities in Hong Kong will decide by themselves whether to extend their class suspension period, while the Hong Kong Vocational Training Council and Hong Kong Employees Retraining Board will make separate announcements on their courses and examination arrangements.

For updated information and latest news on respiratory tract infections, please visit the special home page on the subject at www.info.gov.hk/info/infection-e.htm, and the HKSAR Department of Health website at www.info.gov.hk/dh/ap.htm as well as the e-bulletin at www.news.gov.hk/en/index.shtml.